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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


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5?  ..  W 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□ 


n 


n 
n 

n 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le 


titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 


L'instltut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


0 
D 
0 
D 
D 


D 


Pages  restauries  et/ou  pellicu<des 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolories,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matdriel  supplementaire 


I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6X6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fagon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  <i3t  Ulvni  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14M 

18X 

22X 

MK 

30X 

J 

12X                             16X                             aOX                              24X                             28X                             32X 

Tha  copy  fiir^sd  h«r«  ha*  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
potsibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grica  A  la 
g*n*rosit*  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  At*  raproduitas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattf  t*  da  l'axamplaira  film*,  at  an 
conformit*  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  are  filmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  covar  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim*e  sont  film*s  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  terminant  soit  par  la 
darni*re  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film*s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premi*re  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  derni*re  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derni*re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symboie  — ^'  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  *tre 
film*s  *  des  taux  de  r*duction  diff*rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  *tre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich*,  il  est  film*  *  partir 
de  Tangle  8up*rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  *  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n*cessaire.  Les  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  m*thode. 


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32X 


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2 

3 

4 

5 

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-THE- 


Life  and  Travels 


-OF- 


JOSIAH  7VVOOSO. 


f 


JL  Life  on  the  Frontier  among  Indians  and 

Spaniards,   not    Seeing  the  Face 

of  a  White  Woman  for 

Fifteen  Years. 


't* ' 


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"Life  la  a  leaf  ^.  paper  white, 
Whereon  each  one  of  us  may  write 
His  vr  jrd  or  two,  and  then  comes  night." 


-J.  R.  LiOWELL. 


TELEGRAM  PRINT. 
WINRELO,     ^gQQ        KAM8AS. 


41 


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} 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Coaerew, 
in  th«  year  1888.  by 

JOSmH    7UCOOSO. 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congresa^ 
at  Washington. 


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I  1 

» 


•  **■ 


COISTTEN'TS. 


'' 


(FRONTISPIECE.) 


CHAPTER  I. 


Pftge' 


Oanadian  Peasantry  in  the  Eighteenth  Century — Their 
Industries,  Religion  and  Amusement 17 

CHAPTER  II. 

Rafting  on  the  St.  Lawrence — Canadian  Rebellion — 
^       Experience  with  the  Mormons — Escape  from  Ca^ 
nadian  Authorities — Rochester  Fifty  Years  Ago..    34 

CHAPTER  III. 

Lead  Fields  at  Galena — Secrecy  Enjoined — Early 
Methods  of  Transportation  on  the  Upper  Missis- 
sippi— Indians  of  Lake  Superior 50 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Travel  on  Snow  Shoes — Dogs  for  Ti'ansportatiou — 
Sledges - 67 

Pacific  N.  W.  History  Dept. 

4091ft  PROVING'  aL-  library 

VICT  m\k,  B.  c. 


1] 

h 


CHAPTER  V. 


Page. 


Saved — Return  to  Yellowstone  Fort — Oarrymg  Itfes-     ' 
sages  to   Fort  Blackfoot  —  Surprised — "Under 
Guard" — On  Foot  in  a  Wilderness 65. 

CHAPTER  VI.  ^  ' 

Down  the  Missouri  in  a  Canoe — Indians  Along  the 
River — Escape  Under  Cover  of  Darkness 76- 

CHAPTER  VII.     . 

Early  History  of  Fur  Traders — Issuing  Licenses — 
Fortifications  on  the  Rivers — Establishment  of 
American  Fur  Company — Annual  Meetings  at  Ft. 
William 79' 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Trapping  on  the  Columbia  River — Camp  Life — The 

Evening  Meal — Novel  Canoes SS 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Capture — Arrival  at  Indian  Camp — Poma — Execution 
of  Captives — To  be  Burned — Saved  for  Further 
Council 9^ 


i' 


■<fi  '  <*• 


■•,-'' 


v;  > 


■■   "A.: 


CHAPTER  X.  ' ' 

Page. 

Suspense-Life  in  an  Indian  Lodge— Startling  Pro- 
posal-Plans of  Escape ^^ 

CHAPTER  XL 

Killing  Buffalo- A  Ray  of  Hope-Out  of  the  Lodge- 
On  the  Trail  to  Liberty— Kels  in  Camp 119 

CHAPTER  XIL 

Through  the  Pass— Bruin-The  Digger  Indian-Relig- 
ious Customs J26 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

Mexico  and  the  Mexicans-Creoles— Native  Indian 
Population— Dress  and  Habits -The  Church- 
Early  History-Founding  the  City  of  Mexico- 
The  Aztecs-Cortez-The  Republic-  Chihuahua- 
The  '^TraiP'-Santa  Fe-Great  Salt  Lake-Selling 
the  Herd— Down  the  River    ^41 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
Prophetic   Words  of  an  English  Poet-Mormons- 


1^ 

/I 


Fei^ed  Miracle — Death  of  Joseph  Smith — Edna 
Hinman  —  Brigham  Young — Dootrines  of  the 
Saints  152 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Exit — Murmurs — The  Baffled  Father — Vows — A 
Wedding 161 


I 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Marriage  Vows — Journey  to  Salt  Lake — The  Revela- 
tion— Flight  of  Captain  Rocky— Protected  by 
United  States  Troops 170 


( 


1 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"The  Frenchman's"  Flight — Vows  Renewed — Return 
of  the  Mormons — Brigham^s  Early  Life — Mary — 
Doubts 179 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Arrival  at  Fort  Kearney — Defence  Against  Indians — 
Lost,  Resulting  in  Insanity 187 


1 4 


««. 


>2 


OHAPTEE  XIX. 


Page. 


On  the  TraU  to  Santa  Fe-Oaptain  Rocky  as  Guide- 
Ifovel  Costume-Death  by  Freezing-Oomanches  192 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Panic-The  Trer.ty-First  Experience  in  Hunting  199 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
The    Guide  Visits  Mrs.  Murphy-The  Reception- 
The  Explanation— Mormon  Crime— Farewells- 
Escape  of  Elizab'ith  Orle-..More  Mormon  Duplic- 

ity 

206 

CHAPTER  XXIL 

Colonel  Fremont-..A  Disastrous  Trip-Establishing 
Forts-Lieutenant  Woodbury 219 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Supper  of  Deg  Meat-PerUs  on  the  Platte-.-Rescue- 
Atrocities  of  the  Pawnees 00^ 

^<J4 


1 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Page. 

The  Life  of  the  Frontiersman— Domestic  Quiet— The 
Marriage  Vows  Repeated-Escape  of  Agnes  Ar- 
nold-Discovery of  Gold  in  California— Society 
From  a  Clergyman's  Standpoint 234 


CHAPTER  XXV  ' 

Proposed  Trip  to  the  Gold  Field  of  California— News 
From  Home— Visit  to  Wisconsin— Lead  Mines— 
Return  Trip-Sterling  Price's  Raid 24i> 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


Elizabeth's  Future— Rural  Life 


,.  25T 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

The  Purchase— A  Wife's  Regrets— Removal 274 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
Lucy-Death  of  Little  Mary 285 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


Early  Settlement  of  Cowley  County 300 


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kh 


Page. 


'  »•# 


CHAPTER  XXX. 
The  Cowley  County  Fair  in  Its   Infancy 


Page. 
311 


234 


j.i 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Removal  to    Indian    Territory- Depart  are    of   Mrs. 


Mooso 


321 


240 


1 


CHAl  iER  XXXII. 
The  Salvation  Army-Its   Origin-Mr.  Mooso's   Con- 


ft 

version 

••■.1         ..(     .   ,    !»{•       ■ 

25T          '     1  . 

334 


CHAPTER  XXXIIl. 

Review— Changes  of  Eighty  Years 


369 


274 


11 


285 


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I 


PREFACE. 


♦  < 


f 


As  a  changing  breeze  sometimes  gently,  or  it  may  be 
more  rudely,  carries  the  delicate  seed  from  it's  seed-pod 
and  deposits  it  in  a  foreign  soil,  to  spring,  bud,  blossom 
and  bring  fruitage ;  so  the  whole  channel  of  life's  events^ 
and  consequently  the  moulding  of  character  is  often 
changed  uy  so  trifling  a  thing  as  a  passing  breeze. 

This  volume  full  of  romance,  adventure  and  truthfully 
thrilling  escape  from  captivity  and  death  by  burning  from 
the  hands  of  the  Indians,  the  heroes  of  Mormoi*  ven- 
geance, consequent  on  being  allied  to  the  young  daughter 
of  a  Mormon,  the  visits  made  to  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  San 
Francisco  and  many  other  leading  points  of  interest,  when 
these  were  but  in  embiyo,  the  long  weeks  and  months  of 
hardships,  when  acting  in  the  capacity  of  guide  to  com- 
panies crossing  the  plains ;  of  many  perils  while  engaged 
in  the  Mexican  war,  not  seeing  the  face  of  a  white  woman 
for  fifteen  years.  All  these,  it  is  hoped,  may  be  of  suffi 
cient  interest  to  insure  the  perusal  of  the  volume.  Pass- 
ing from  one  interesting  detail  to  another  until  his  late 
conversion.  This  would  probably  never  have  been  writ- 
en  had  not  his  father  entered  into  litigation  of  little  im> 


._^. 


14 


f" 


11,. 


portauce,  thereby  becoming  financially  embarassed,  com- 
pelling him  to  dispose  of  all  his  possessions,  breaking  the 
ties  that  cling  so  closely  around  "Home  Sweet  Home", 
that  the  bleeding  tendrils  of  the  mother's  heart  never 
healed,  and  she  died  dispirited ;  pleading  with  her  christ- 
ian prayers  and  tears,  that  the  bright-eyed  yonng  son 
might  become  a  God-fearing  man.  Time  brought  a  new 
mother  and  the  lad  upon  whose  curly  head  the  dying 
mother's  hand  had  so  tenderly  lain,  choked  back  his  tears 
and  with  them,  home  memories,  and  manfully  started  out 
to  battle  with  the  world.  But,  who  has  now  so  near 
reached  the  sunset  of  life,  offers  this  volume  to  the  read- 
er, trusting  that  it  may  be  of  sufficient  merit  to  entitle  it 
to  a  somewhat  friendly  welcome  at  your  fireside. 

The  imperfect  manner  in  which  the  manuscript  has  been 
read,  some  of  which  has  been  hurried  to  press  without 
passing  under  the  criticism  of  the  proof-reader — leaves 
the  volume  justly  subject  to  sharp  criticism.  The  author 
feels  that  in  justice  to  herself,  this  explanation  should  be 
made,  having  only  been  employed  to  write  the  book ;  tak- 
ing none  of  the  responsibility  of  the  labor  of  attepding  to 
its  publication.  The  omission  of  a  letter,  or  the  inser* 
tion  of  an  improper  one,  has,  in  several  cases,  entirely 
changed  the  intended  meaning  of  a  word.  Only  a  few 
we  noted,  as  follows : 


15 


On  page  206,  the  omission  of  e  in  sleeve. 

On  page,  41,  reasonably  substituted  for  reasonable. 

On  page  77,  capton  in  place  of  captive. 

On  page  85,  omission  of  t  in  Scottish,  makes  it  Scot- 
isb. 

On  j)age  102,  futile  is  used  for  fertile. 

Page  103,  defense  for  defence. 

Only  a  few  of  the  many  errors  have  been  pointed  out, 
as  it  would  only  weary  the  patience,  not  only  of  the 
reader,  but  also  the  one  who  is  responsible  for  the  sub- 
ject— matter  contained  in  the  volume.  In  the  hope,  that 
the  beautiful  mantle,  which  covers  a  "multitude  of  evils," 
may  be  spread  over  the  deformities  herein  contained ; 
with  that  inspiriting  thought,  I  sign  myself, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


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er,  lived 
Victoria 
beauty,  i 
night,   a 


-THE- 


LIFE  AN^D  TRAVELS 


-OF- 


JOSIAH  MOOSO. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Canadian  Peasantry  in  the  Eighteenth  Century — Their  In- 
,  (lustries,  Religion  and  Amusement. 

Thirty  milen  north  of  Montreal,  Canada,  near  North  riv- 
er, lived  a  family  of  Du  Fores,  wealthy  and  aristocratic. 
Victoria, the  tliird  daughter,  was  an  acknowledged  French 
beauty,  slender  and  erect,  with  hair  and  eyes  black  as 
night,   and   that   clearness  of  complexion  so  common  in 

17 


■^i  •  I  I'V'^'^m^i^m 


18 


northern  latitudes.  Having  been  endowed  by  Nature  with 
these  attractions,  and  of  a  vivaoiousness  and  politeness  of 
manner  for  which  her  race  has  alwsys  been  noted,  it  is  not 
strange  that  many  aspirants  pleaded  for  her  hand,  but 
without  avail,  for  a  strong  attachment  had  grown  up  be- 
tween an  old  playfellow  and  herself;  and  this  same  gallant 
youth  was  now  a  British  soldier  assisting  in  the  attempt  to 
subjugate  the  freedom-loving  people  of  America,  the  re- 
sult of  whi(!h  is  briefly  told  in  these  words — the  surrender 
of  Yorktown. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  young  red-coat  at  the  close  of 
the  war  he  sought  out  the  object  of  his  regard — the  fair 
Victoria — whom  he  found  loyal  to  her  vows ;  but  a  third 
factor  in  the  person  of  her  father,  with  the  characteristic 
forgetfulness  of  unromantic  old  gentlemen  of  tiieir  youth- 
ful follies  and  weaknesses,  he  placed  barriers  between 
them.  Looking  with  undisguised  disapproval  upon  the 
young  suitor's  wooing,  whom,  though  bringing  a  good 
name  and  a  tine  manly  bearing  did  not  bring  gold,  conse- 
quently he  was  promptly  dismissed  by  Monsieur  Du  Fore. 

But  young  Josiali  Mooso  tenaciously  adhered  to  his 
original  intention  of  taking  Victoria  to  share  his  fortunes, 
and  she,  inheriting  the  spirit  of  her  father,  did  not  swerve 
from  her  former  intent.  But  accustomed  always  to  obey 
the  kind  but  c?mewhat  imperious  parent,  with  true  diplo- 


M 


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MtaMMW^MMMHM 


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19 


matic  sagacity,  thought  best  to  offer  the  Hag  of  truce  for 
the  present. 

Years  passed,  during  which  time  the  energies  and 
tact  of  the  young  man  were  directed  toward  accumulating 
considerable  of  this  world's  goods. 

By  a  little  financial  aid  from  his  father  he  became  the 
possessor  of  a  small  farm,  upon  which  he  built  a  house 
from  the  timber  cut  and  hewed  by  his  own  hands. 

The  haughty  Du  Fore  had  seen  with  increasing  interest 
the  determination  of  the  young  Ulysses,  who,  though  not 
engaged  in  warlike  schemes,  and  whose  ideal  was  not  the 
fair  Penelope,  but  who  evinced  a  similar  adaptability  to 
scheming  during  an  emergency.  The  old  gentleman  had 
some  time  since  resolved  to  accept  the  proposal  for  his 
daup'  ter,  in  marriage  when  it  should  be  asked.  Both  fam- 
ilies being  of  the  Catholic  faith  the  young  couple  were  uni- 
ted by  Father  Rasqua  in  the  little  stone  church  where 
years  before  both  had  been  christened. 

Hope,  the  inspiriting  monitor  that  paints  with  roseate 

hues  the  future,  and  lightens  the  cares  of  the  jjresent,  led 

the  way  to  the  house  prepared  for  the  bride,  opened  wide 

the  door,  and  bade  them  enter,  and  through  many  years 

she  did  not  desert  the  home  to  which  she  invited  them  on 

their  bridal  day — only  retreated  a  little  into  the  shadows 


1 1 


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•t  ' 


k 


i  i 


V 


do 


i:' 


I      1 


when  clouds  came,  but  always  returned  with  bright,  smil- 
ing face  when  summoned. 

Monsieur  Dn  Fore  did  nothing  in  a  miserly  manner,  and 
as  Victoria  and  her  joung  husband  were  seated  at  their 
evening  meal,  the  first  in  their  new  home,  a  light  tap  at  the 
door,  accompanied  with  a  package  for  the  bride,  revealed 
the  fact  that  a  gift  from  the  father  to  the  daughter  in  the 
form  of  a  deed,  conveying  a  goodly  portion  of  land  to 
Victoria,  adjoining  that  of  the  young  householder,  had 
been  sent  her. 

With  so  bright  a  prospect,  good  health  and  the  strong 
tonic  of  love,  they  could  hardly  fail  to  prosper.  First  of 
all,  in  the  home  the  religious  belief  of  the  head  of  the  house 
was  held  most  sacred,  aided  by  the  greater  piety  of  the 
young  wife,  who  in  her  religion  showed  the  same  firm  ad- 
herence to  duty  that  had  been  seen,  when  earlier  she  had 
silently  obeyed  the  will  of  her  father  when  so  much  was 
involved  of  her  future  happiness. 

Time  rolled  on  and  the  thrifty  farmer  and  his  wife  in- 
creased tiieir  flocks,  raised  grains  common  to  that  climate 
and  were  prosperous  as  to  worldly  goods.  The  wild  fruits 
supplied  their  table,  the  strawberry-  and  raspberry  furn- 
ishing a  delicious  dessert  though  the  montlis  of  July  and 
August  followed  later  by  the  black  and  red  currant  and 
blackberry  und  still  later  by  the  cranberry,  so  much  prized 


21 


ife  iii- 
ilimate 
fruits 
fiirn- 
y  and 
t  and 
)rized 


by  the  people  of  southern  latitudes.  The  rich  profusion 
of  the  woodland  flowers  provided  food  for  the  honey-bee, 
and  they  in  time  deposited  their  sweets  in  the  waxen  cells 
of  the  hive,  which,  tilled  with  white  layers  and 
found  its  way  to  the  table,  toothsome  and  luscious. 

The  younjj  yeoman  did  not  si)end  many  idle  moments ;  af- 
ter the  harvest  of  small  grains  was  over,  and  the  later  crops 
safely  stored,  his  axe  skillfully  wielded,  brought  down  trees 
which  were  cut  into  proper  length  for  use  on  the  farm, 
the  surplus  being  sent  to  market.  The  rifle  in  expert 
hands  provided  meats  for  family  use.  Many  denizens  of 
stream  and  forest,  yielded  to  the  persuasive  arguments  of 
trap  and  rifle,  whose  furry  coats  found  ready  sale  either  to 
fur  companies,  or  ships  which  yearly  visited  the  St.  Law- 
rence, it  being  the  channel  through  which  importation  of 
goods  came  and  the  egress  for  the  exportation  of  Cana- 
dian produce.  The  old  Colonial  monopoly  by  which  the 
St.  Lawrence  was  closed  against  the  entrance  of  foreign 
vessels,  being  somewhat  modified  and  the  exclusive  right 
given  to  Canada  of  supplying  the  West  Indies  with  timber 
and  other  produce. 

Thrice  have  the  seasons  come  and  gone  since  the  open- 
ing of  our  narrative.  The  sports  of  a  Canadian  winter, 
consisting  of  coasting,  skating  and  sleighing,  were  fully 
upon  the  people.    Early  in  November  the  snow  enveloped 


! 


■i^ 


22 


the  ground  in  the  vicinitj'  of  Montreal.  The  erroneous 
impression  prevails  among  many  that  the  weather  is  un- 
bearably cold  in  this  region ;  but  the  unpleasant  eflfects 
usually  accomjuinying  snowfall  in  many  other  localities  are 
not  fell  here,  there  being  a  lack  of  that  rawness  and 
chilliness  often  experienced  elsewhere.  This  portion  ot 
Canada,  although  lying  between  40-.")0  degrees  nortli  lati- 
tude is  not  subject  to  those  sudden  changes  ot  tempera- 
ture common  to  countries  not  bearing  so  higli  a  degree. 
Although,  during  the  months  of  January  and  February  the 
height  of  the  Canadian  winter  is  maiked  by  extreme  cold, 
the  inhabitants  are  well  i)rotected,  not  onlj-  by  nature,  but 
by  warm  dwellings  and  clothing  to  fully  enjoy  with  little 
discomfort  the  extreme  (^old ;  owing  to  the  dry  bracing- 
atmosphere,  it  is  simply  delightful !  Who  of  the  readers, 
reared  where  snow  is  not  so  ephemeral  as  in  this  latitude, 
does  not  remember  thase  long  delightful  evenings  spent 
with  parties  in  sleighing,  when  the  merry  shout  of  the 
pleasure-seeker  vied  with  the  bells  which  the  horses 
seemed  to  shake  almost  gleefully,  entering  into  the  hilarity 
of  their  happy  freight?  The  time  of  the  full  moon  chosen 
for  such  occasions  lending  a  charm  to  every  object  present- 
ed to  the  vision.  Years  have  passed  since  then,  but  to- 
day the  chime  of  sleighbells,  brings  back  the  old  youthful 
feeling,  again,  along  my  veins  tingles  the  exuberant  blood 


28 


and  in  imagination  the  brown-eyed  little  girl  who  Hhared 
my  childish  joys  and  soitowh  through  those  beautiful  days 
of  "the  past/'  is  with  me,  and  who,  Just  at  that  mysterious 
time  of  girlish  womanhood  passed  into  tlie  "dark  beyond." 
"Softly  she  failed  as  fades  the  twilight."  Hut  1  am  forget- 
ful that  this  digression  has  carried  me  from  my  subject. 
One  of  these  (dear  cold  nights  which  we  have  described, 
found  Victoria  and  her  husband  returning  fro nj  a  sleighing 
excursion  to  a  neighboring  town  in  company  with  other 
l)leasure-seekers,  who  had  been  entertained  at  the  home  of 
friends.  The  merry  laugh  and  jest  passed  from  sleigh  to 
sleigh  and  all  but  Victoria,  usually  among  the  gayest,  gave 
themselves  with  hearty  abandon  to  the  joyousness  of  the 
hour.     What  strange  mood  had  taken  possession   of  her? 

The  ride  Anally  ended  which  brought  her  to  her  home. 
She,  like  many  other  young  wives,  had  blindly  thought  her 
young  husband  possessed  of  all  the  virtues,  and  had  not 
until  now,  awakened  to  the  fact  that  he  was  faulty  and 
mortal.  He  had  i)artaken  too  freely  of  drink  at  the  table 
of  his  host  which  left  h'm  in  a  condition  of  semi-intoxication 
with  that  ludicrous  attempt  to  maintain  a  dignified  bearing, 

Victoria  was  not  one  whose  spirits  were  easily-  broken, 
and  dashing  away  a  few  tears  she  promptly  informed  him 
of  the  evil  of  such  a  course,  of  the  injustice  to  herself, 
the  attendant  consequences  of  disgrace,  followed  by  grad- 


24 


:  I 


ual  loss  of  intereHt  in  businesH  and  of  Helf-respect,  with* 
out  which  no  one  can  attain  to  anything  of  worth. 

"  I  ask  of  you,"  she  said,  "the  same  purity  of  character, 
the  same  re{»ard  for  marital  vows,  in  fact  the  standard  of 
virtue  which  you  have  raised  for  me  to  reach.  There  is 
nothinji^  unreasonable  in  this  reciuest.  I  gave  to  you  the 
best  and  noblest  of  my  nature,  marred  no  doubt,  by  flaws, 
but  which  for  your  sake,  and  for  the  hope  of  a  growth  into 
a  higher  plane  of  life,  1  am  willing  to  correct.  And  now, 
my  Iiunband,  I  ask  you,  if  you  wish  to  retain  the  respect 
and  love  of  your  wife,  never  humiliate  le  by  a  repetition 
of  the  scenes  of  this  evening." 

This  appeal  to  his  reason  and  heart  had  the  desired  ef- 
fect, and  a  promise  made  before  God  that  night  to  refrain 
from  drink  was  kept  intact  while  his  wife  was  spared  to 
him. 

Again  the  spring  came,  and  with  it  growth  of  grain,  fol- 
lowed by  the  harvest  and  storing  away  of  edibles  for  win- 
ter use.  The  cheerful  crackle  of  the  hickory  fire,  and,  as 
a  companion  piece,  the  cracking  of  the  nuts  picked  from 
a  tree  of  tliat  family,  enlivened  many  an  hour  which  would 
otherwise  have  dragged  slowly  by. 

About  this  time  an  event  of  much  importance  to  Victo- 
ria and  her  husband  occurred.  The  sun  arose  on  the 
morning  of  November  19th,  1803,  with  unusual  brilliancy, 


96 


looking  ill  upon  tlieir  iitiant  hop.  whom  we  will  now  intro- 
duce iis  the  hero  of  thin  book.  The  (iodfiither  and  (lod- 
iiiother,  in  the  perHon  of  an  uncle  and  aunt  of  the  parents, 
attended  by  the  father,  repaired  to  the  cliurch  and  there 
the  child  waH  chriHtened,  bearii.j^  the  name  of  itw  father. 
From  the  first  he  manifested  that  wonderful  vigor  and 
jihysical  stamina  which  sometimett  neems  to  be  almost  phe- 
nomenal. 

He  inherited  the  beauty  of  \m  mother,  who  trained  him 
to  take  a  few  steps  at  nine  months,  for  whicli  the  (lodfa- 
ther  presented  him  witii  a  new  dress.  In  course  of  time 
he  developed  into  an  energetic  lad,  full  of  spirit  and  ad- 
venture, engaging  in  those  athletic  sports  which  often  de- 
veloj)  the  naturally  delicate  into  robust  men  ;  but  starting 
as  he  did,  witli  much  natural  vitality,  it  laid  the  foundation 
for  a  long  life. 

The  home  of  little  Joe  had  now  become  an  inviting  spot. 
Years  of  honest  toil  had  made  the  "wilderness  to  blossom 
as  the  rose."  As  the  mother  sang  at  her  work,  now  enli- 
vened by  the  ringing  laugh  and  prattle  of  her  boy,  life 
seamed  bright  with  past  joys  and  inviting  with  future  ;  but 
treacherous  ground  lay  just  beneath  her  feet. 

The  father  became  involved  at  this  time  in  a  law  suit — 
in  regard  to  a  few  bushels  of  ashes — which  suit  was  finally 
taken  to  England  for  settlement,  the  cost  of  which  amount- 


I-  ■ 


I 


i^^ 


11 


!» 


li 


26 

ed  to  over  two  thoiiaaud  pounds,  and  making  such  inroads 
upon  his  possessions  that  he  was  financially  ruined.  The 
home  which  had  become  endeared  by  so  many  sac  jd  ties 
was  sold,  and  Victoria,  like  most  women  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances, left  that  home  with  broken  spirits,  declining 
health  and  grave  apprehensions  for  the  future. 

Will  Carleton  has  said  in  his  pertinent  and  quaint  man- 
ner, "Women  are  skeery  things  without  a  home.'' 

After  the  disposal  of  the  two  farms  and  the  i)ayment  of 
debts  incurred  at  the  time  of  the  law  suit,  the  remnant 
was  taken,  and  with  the  family  removed  to  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  which  beautiful  sheet  of  water  bears  the  name  of 
Samuel  de  Ohamplain,  the  French  explorer  who  discov- 
ered it  about  1608,  and  who  was  Governor  of  the  first 
French  settlers  in  Lower  Canada.  During  the  war 
of  1812  the  defeat  of  the  English  fieet  there,  became 
a  fact  well  worth  recording  in  history.  The  shores  along 
the  lake  are  picturesque  in  the  extreme,  and  in  its  waters 
are  many  of  the  salmon  and  salmon  trout. 

The  family  remained  here  but  a  short  time,  the  settlers 
speaking  English,  which  tongue  Victoria  could  not  under- 
stand. She  became  discouraged  and  pined  for  her  own 
people.  This  wore  upon  her  to  the  extent  that  it  sadly 
impaired  her  health  and  they  removed  to  Montreal  in  the 
spring. 


27 


■•0 
3, 


Joe,  then  quite  a  liid,  rememberB  distiiictly  his  visit  to 
the  garrison  of  soldiers  of  the  war  of  1812  who  were 
quartered  there.  Ai  an  illustration  of  the  business  ca- 
l)acity  of  little  Joe,  allow  me  to  relate  an  incident  which 
in  itself  is  tritlinj>',  but  s  ows  the  d^'terniination  of  char- 
acter which  in  a.ter  life  made  him  the  hardy  frontiersman, 
spy  and  ^iiide. 

A  neif>hbor  ov/ning  a  large  number  of  horses,  not  hav- 
ing sufticieut  grain  to  feed  them,  offered  liim  one  ^which 
was  so  starved  that  it  could  not  walk)  for  a  dollar.  His 
father  was  interviewed  for  the  amount,  which,  after  some 
parley,  he  gave.  The  young  financier,  engaging  a  younger 
brother  to  assist  him,  harnessed  the  team  and  started  with 
the  sled  to  the  farmers,  and  with  the  assistance  of  the 
man,  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  the  horse  was  rolled  onto 
the  sled  and  Joe  drove  triumphantly  into  the  yard  with 
his  i)roperty.  The  laughable  sight  brought  to  the  <loor  the 
father,  who  helped  to  assist  the  'nvalid  <iuadruped  to 
alight  from  its  carriage.  By  careful  feeding  of  the  horse 
the  boy  was  soon  repaid  by  seeing  it  on  its  feet,  and  in  a 
few  months,  by  sundry  trades  and  shifts,  he  realized  even 
more  than  a  modern  banker's  per  cent,  on  the  investment 
— amounting  to  nearly  $00. 

The  advantages  for  an  education  in  Canada  at  that  time 
were  very  limited.    The  Prc+estants  founded  free  schools 


28 


for  the  education  of  their  children,  but  the  Catholie  Priests 
bitterly  opposed  the  free  school  system,  consequently  the 
children  of  that  church  were  debarred  from  receiving  an 
education  unless  the  parents  had  the  means  to  pay  tuition. 
The  result  of  this  state  of  things  was  that  many  Catholic 
children  were  not  taught  to  read  and  write,  Joe  among  the 
number. 

But  depending  entirely  upon  his  memory  for  facts  has 
imparted  to  him  wonderful  retentive  powers  which  now 
to  a  good  old  age  he  still  retains  with  marked  accuracy. 

The  Catholic  missionaries  were  at  this  time  making 
great  efforts  to  promulgate  their  doctrines  among  the  In- 
dians and  under  the  direction  of  I  liese  Jesuits,  bands  were 
arranging  to  go  among  the  tribes  of  the  west  and  south. 
Joe  now  being  a  lad  of  eleven  and  very  bright,  was  thought 
to  be  quite  a  valuabl  5  acfiuisition  to  the  company  and  was 
accordingly  engaged  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  waiter.  Ar- 
rangCTnents  were  made  by  which  he  was  to  travel  with 
them,  and  if  at  th<  end  of  one  year  if  he  wisned  to  return 
he  could  do  so. 

Seated  beneatli  the  trees  of  the  forest  the  Indians  list- 
ened to  the  missionaries  whose  i)recepts  were  conveyed 
to  them  through  the  medium  of  an  interpreter.  Many  of 
these  sinqjle  children  of  nature  were  converted  and  the 
sacredness    of  the    marriage    relations  impressed   upon 


29 


them.  In  case  of  plurality  of  wives  they  were  induced  by 
the  missionaries  to  keep  but  one,  the  first  having  the  pref- 
erence. The  rejected  wives  with  their  children  being- 
cared  for  up  to  the  time  of  a  Christian  marriage.  Cleanli- 
ness, so  near  akin  to  Godliness,  was  also  taught  them  and 
such  other  duties  as  they  could  be  made  to  comprehend. 
The  early  efforts  of  these  Jesuits  became  so  wide  spread  in 
their  influence,  in  time  whole  tribes  were  Christianized. 
The  Moravians  or  United  Brethren  by  their  gentle  minis- 
trations of  gospel  truths  also  brought  many  to  the  Chris- 
tian faith.  Notwithstanding  the  effort  at  so  early  a  date 
to  preach  the  gospel  to  these  people  and  the  wonderful 
amount  of  good  accomplished  by  these  missionaries  a 
statement  clipped  from  the  National  Educator  as  to  the 
present  oonditiou  of  the  Indian  will  prove  that  yet  much 
more  can  be  done  even  up  to  present  date.  "Out  of  the 
40,000  Sioux  Indians  there  are  35,000  still  in  heathenism. 
There  are  sixty-Hix  tribes  on  the  Western  prairies  for 
whom  nothing  in  yet  done.  There  are  40,000  Indians  of 
Sf'hool  age,  but  when  every  school  is  i>acked  to  its  utmost 
only  12,000  can  be  accommodated.  This  includes  (lov 
ernment  schools,  Ilonian  (/atholic  schools  and  all,  so  that 
those  under  mission  teaching  would  be  far  less  a  number 
than  12,000."  Is  there  no  signiticance  in  these  figures? 
Think  of  the  multitudes  of  colored  <'hildren  whose  educa- 


!  V 


ii 


\\ 


30 

tioii  is  unprovided  for  in  the  south.  Simply  as  query, 
which  is  the  cheaper,  the  establishment  and  niaintainance 
of  jails  or  schools  ?  Which  is  the  most  agreeable,  the  bas- 
tile  or  the  college  ? 

The  lad  who  had  been  reared  in  the  cold  bracing  air  of 
Canada  could  not  endure  the  heat  of  the  south  and  want- 
ed to  return  but  the  Catholics  wished  to  educate  him  for 
a  priest,  seeing  his  unusually  natural  brilliancy ;  and  tried 
by  various  arts  to  induce  him  to  remain  with  them ;  he 
still  wishing  to  return,  they  fulfilled  the  promise  given  the 
parents  and  at  the  expiration  of  eighteen  months  he  ar- 
rived at  his  home  near  Montreal. 

The  mode  of  travel  was  by  stage,  a  card  bearing  his  des- 
tination being  fastened  to  his  clothing  in  order  that  in  the 
transfers  at  the  diflferent  stage  stations  he  might  reach  his 
destination  without  mistake.  A  journey  of  ten  days 
brought  him  to  his  own  fireside,  welcomed  tenderly  by  his 
mother,  who  thanked  God  for  the  safe  return  of  her  son. 
Joe  though  but  a  child  saw  many  changes.  His  mother  had 
grown  thin  and  pale  and  his  boy's  heart  ached  at  the 
thought — though  not  well  defined, — of  losing  her.  But 
he  had  seen  something  of  the  outside  world  and  a  thirst 
for  adventure  had  grown  to  such  an  extent  that  nothing 
but  the  vision  of  the  pale  face  of  her  who  had  been  to  -ii  a 
the  true,   tried   and   loving  protector   of  his   infant   and 


'0 


31 


youthful  days,  impressed  him  that  he  must  remain.  Little 
Mary,  his  favorite  sister,  was  his  constant  companion  in 
play  and  toil,  he,  being  nine  years  her  senior  was  a  sort  of 
protector  as  well  as  companion. 

The  mother  was  now  failing  so  rapidly  that  even  the 
most  hopeful  despaired  of  her  recovery.  Joe  became  her 
faithful  and  affectionate  attendant,  ministering"  to  her 
wants  with  the  tenderness  of  a  woman ;  but  the  care  and 
love  of  the  husband  and  children  could  not  close  the  door 
against  the  power  which  (-arries  from  us  much  that  is 
lovely  and  loved  and  leaves  the  heart-strings  sore  and 
bleeding.  Victoria  realized  that  her  time  was  short,  and 
calling  around  her  the  family  gave  them  messages  of  love 
and  warning.  With  her  hand  resting  on  the  head  of  Joe, 
she  told  him  +o  be  a  good  boy,  and  gave  to  his  care  the 
little  sister.  "Be  kind  and  gentle  to  her ;  keep  her  from 
harm,  and  above  all,  my  boy,  live  so  that  I  shall  see  you 
where  I  shall  be  soon."  With  one  hand  resting  on  his 
head,  the  other  clasped  by  her  husband,  she  passed  away. 

Joe  rpsolved,  with  boyish  impulse,  to  stay  witJi  little 
Mary  until  such  time  as  she  should  no  longer  need  his  care 
a  xd  manfully  he  tried  to  do  this,  but  according  to  a  custom 
of  the  Catholics,  a  man  whose  wife  is  not  living  can  not 
employ  a  woman  servant  in  liis  house. 

The  necessity  of  an  early  marriage  soon  brought  to  the 


« 


PF 


ii 


32 


home  aiiothe'^  mistress.  The  little  sister  was  endeared 
still  more  to  Joe  and  he  remained  at  home,  when  all  along 
his  proud,  restless  spirit  chafed  under  what  seemed  the 
tyranny  of  the  new  mother,  and  with  the  love  of  adven- 
ture, which  had  grown  stronger  with  the  boy^s  advancing 
years,  he  informed  his  father  that  at  last  he  must  go  out 
from  the  paternal  roof  and  craved  his  blessing.  He  re- 
luctantly gave  his  consent,  and  with  it  some  fatherly  advice. 
Joe,  with  a  big  lump  in  his  throat  and  a  tender  feeling  at 
his  heait,  hurriedly  and  tenderly  unclasped  the  little  hands 
of  his  sister  from  his  neck,  picssedthe  hand  of  his  father, 
and  was  gone. 

In  after  years  how  well  he  remembered  that  bright 
spring  morning,  beautiful  in  all  its  virgin  purity,  made  mu- 
sical with  the  song  of  birds,  bright  by  the  spring  sunshine, 
aromatic  by  springing  grass  and  opening  buds,  which 
seemed  to  beckon  to  the  young  aspirant  to  linger  ere  the 
steps  were  taken  wliich  portended  so  ninch  of  good  or  ill 
for  his  future.  The  import  of  this  scene  he  did  not  fully 
understand  ;  he  only  knew  that  he  had  been  deeply  im- 
pressed. But  the  road  upon  which  he  started  that  morn- 
ing, farther  on  in  life  he  found  beset  with  dangers  and  tri- 
als, fron:    which,  had  he  foreseen,  he  would  have  shrunk. 

His  first  experience  upon  leaving  home  was  somewhat 
of  the  nature  which  he  had  pictured.     He  had  fallen  into 


■ 


m 


the  company  of  "Big  Nels,"  so  called  on  account  of  his 
immense  size,  and  he  was  associated  for  years  after  with 
him  in  some  of  his  most  hazardous  exploits.  They  were 
at  one  time  going  on  foot  from  one  settlement  to  another 
when  they  saw  two  women  running  toward  them,  seeming 
in  great  distress.  Upon  inquiry,  they  told  them  that  their 
house  had  been  invaded  by  Indians.  Neither  of  the  men 
were  armed,  but  hastening  to  the  building  they  found  that 
the  Indians  had  indeed  taken  possession.  This  was  a  new 
experience  for  Joe,  and  he  admitted  that  be  was  somewhat 
alarmed  upon  finding  himself  surrounded  by  them,  but  a 
stout  club  in  the  hands  of  Nels  soon  dispersed  the  band, 
whose  object  had  been  to  plunder. 


y 


u 


, 


CHAPTER  II. 

Rafting  on  the  St.  Lawrence — Canadian  Rebellion — Expe- 
rience With  the  Mormons — Esc  ^  e  From  Canadian 
Authorities — Rochester  Fifty  Years  ago. 

Rafting  in  Canada,  at  an  early  date,  was  one  of  the  lead- 
ing industries.  Pine  timber  in  immense  quantities  is  cut, 
and  if  not  adjacent  to  a  navigable  stream,  is  conveyed  on 
the  snow  to  such  points  that  it  can  be  floated  down  the 
branches.  In  order  that  trees  may  still  remain  for  future 
use,  none  but  the  finest  are  felled,  leaving  the  more  infe- 
rior ones  for  later  cutting;  the  object,  not  being  to  clear 
the  ground,  but  to  make  economical  use  of  the  growth^ 
and  preserve  and  continue  the  industry. 

The  demand  for  labor  and  provisions  is  consequently 
great.  Nels  and  Joe  found  employment  in  cutting  timber, 
which  is  conveyed  to  rapids  on  the  streams  where  saw- 
mills are  found,  by  which  the  trees  are  sawed  into  squares; 
these,  principally  prepared  for  English  and  American 
markets.  They  are  first  put  together  in  cribs  and  floated 
down  the  streams,  when  they  are  made  into  rafts. 
These  floating  villages  are  a  novel  sight  to  the  tourist 


W 


35 


-Expe- 
madian 

le  lead- 
is  cut, 
yed  on 
wii  the 
future 
re  iufe- 
o  clear 
rowth^ 

[ueiitly 
iiiiber, 
e  saw- 
uares; 
lerican 
floated 

tourist 


on  the  St.  Lawrence,  being  sometimes  composed  of  150,- 
000  cubic  feet  of  timber,  fastened  together  in  one  raft 
having  upon  its  surface,  shanties,  fires  burning  brilliantly, 
which  are  kindled  on  earthen  hearths,  presenting  quite 
a  gay  appearance  with  its  floating  sails  spread  as  it  glides 
along.  In  order  to  pass  the  rapids  in  its  course  v 'thout 
accident,  the  raft  is  separated  into  parts  which  are  termed 
drams,  each  portion  having  a  certain  number  of  the  crew  as 
hands.  After  the  safe  passage  over  dangerous  places  (much 
skill  however  being  needed  to  guide  them)  these  parts  are 
again  united  into  one  and  it  finally  reaches  its  destination. 

The  young  men  having  worked  industriously  with  oth- 
ers, until  one  of  these  was  constructed,  were  to  assist  in 
guiding  it  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  even- 
ing before  they  were  to  commence  their  journey  they  were 
induced  to  go  ashore  and  engage  in  a  dance,  given  osten- 
sibly in  honor  of  the  crew,  but  really  the  manager  wished 
to  rid  the  raft  of  its  first  occupants,  who  found  in  the 
morning  to  their  dismay  that  it  was  in  the  hands  of  new 
men  and  their  employer  was  no  whereto  be  found, in  con- 
sequence of  which,  they  were  left  with  neither  employ- 
ment nor  means,  learning  one  of  the  bitterest  lessons  in 
life — lack  of  faith  in  mankind. 

Joe  and  his  friend  now  started  on  foot  traveling  three 
days  without  food,  and  failing  to  get  work,  in   sheer  des. 


i'T  ' 

i        , 

1  A 

i 

t     . 

t 

1 

i 

! 
1 

:t 


36 

peration,  they  accosted  a  man  whom  they  found  chopping- 
wood  and  demanded  something  to  do,  which  he  could  not 
give,  but  kindly  gave  them  food  and  lodging,  and  when 
about  to  start  again,  a  tempting  luncheon  was  pressed 
upon  them  and  although  Joe  is  now  more  than  four  score 
years,  he  tells  with  tearful  eyes  and  thankful  heart  of  the 
timely  aid  given  by  the  kind  old  people. 

He  pushed  on  to  Toronto  and  with  Nels  engaged  in 
making  potash,  which  process  may  be  unfamiliar  to  some 
of  our  readers.  Tho  wood,  first  placed  in  convenient  piles, 
is  burned,  and  the  ashes,  mixed  with  a  small  quantity  of 
lime,  is  conveyed  to  wooden  cisterns  and  covered  with 
water  and  allowed  to  remain  there  until  the  next  day ;  the 
liquid  is  then  drawn  oflf  and  placed  in  iron  vessels  and 
evaporated,  when  a  sufficient  amount  is  collected  to  fill 
the  cask,  it  is  heated  to  red  heat  and  poured  into  the  ves- 
sel.   This  employment  they  found  quite  remunerative. 

Joe  was  about  this  time  thrown  into  the  society  ot  Miss 
Anna  Dripper,  and  later,  their  coming  marriage,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  times  and  country,  was  published,  but 
learning  that  she,  with  her  family,  had  become  followers 
of  the  Mormons,  he  expressed  his  disgust  of  their  doctrines 
and  the  marriage  was  delayed  in  consequence.  But  a 
strange  fatality  seemed  to  follow  him  in  regard  to  that 
sect,  as  will  be  seen  later  on. 


37 


hopping- 
»uld  not 
d  when 
pressed 
ir  score 
t  of  the 

aged  in 

:o   some 

mt  piles, 

entity  of 

•ed  with 

lay;  the 

iels  and 

1  to   fill 

he  ves- 

ive. 

ot  Miss 

cording 

led,  but 

lowers 

ctrines 

Bat  a 

0  that 


His  father  had  become  desirous  of  seeing  his  son  again, 
and  having  been  informed  that  he  was  in  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
he  was  on  his  way  to  find  him.  Joe  caught  a  glimpse  of 
him  as  the  stage,  drawn  by  four  horses,  went  dashing  by, 
and  learning  that  lie  intended  taking  a  vessel  at  the  head 
of  Lake  Ontario  thought  he  could  reach  him  before  he  set 
sail,  accordingly  started  out,  arriving  at  the  lake  just  in 
time  to  see  the  steamer  leave  the  shore.  The  disappoint- 
ment was  so  great,  although  grown  now  to  man's  stature, 
he  shed  bitter  tears. 

A  dispute  arising  in  regard  to  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Maine  and  New  Brunswick,  and  troubles  with  Eng- 
land pertaining  to  revenues,  brought  on  what  was  known 
as  the  Canadian  Rebellion.  Many  Americans  on  the  north- 
ern borders  sympathized  with  the  rebellious  faction,  and 
really  wished  them  success,  and  finally  became  involved  in 
[the  trouble  by  providing  war  materials  for  them.  The 
steamer  Caroline,  having  been  fitted  up  with  supplies  for 
the  Canadians,  was  seized  by  the  English  and  allowed  to 
[drift  over  Niagara  Falls. 

Considerable  excitement  now  began  to  prevail,  many 
[fleeing  to  the  United  States.  Gen.  Scott  was  sent  to  the 
[frontier  to  quiet  matters. 

Joe,  in  the  meantime  made  two  uusuccessfal  attempts  to 
[get  to  the  American  side,  but  was  captured  and  brought 


t 


^■{ 


i 


i 


ff 


.'JS 


m 


m 
ill 


It 


iiil 


back  The  third  time  he  was  more  euceeBsful.  Hoping- 
to  And  some  means  of  escape,  he  went  down  to  the  shore 
of  Lal^e  Ontario  and  there  found  a  bout  which  was  being 
loaded  with  wood  to  be  taken  to  Lewiston-  He  bribed  the 
hands  to  hide  him.  They  made  an  excavation  in  the  pile 
and  i>]a(;ed  it  around  him  in  such  a  manner  that  he  could 
not  be  seen.  He  waited  in  breathless  suspense  for  the 
boat  to  leave  the  harbor.  The  vigilance  of  the  oflBcers 
was  so  great,  and  the  penalty  for  smuggling  so  severe, 
that  great  care  had  to  be  exercised  by  the  men.  The  boat 
was  set  ati oat  about  night  and  Jofe,  in  his  cramped  quar- 
ters, calculated  the  possibilities  of  dete.tiou  and  capture 
and  the  almost  inevitable  fate  of  being  hanged  if  taken; 
while  on  the  other  hand  thoughts  of  the  probabilities  of 
escaping  tilled  his  mind,  lirmly  resolving  to  sell  his  life  as 
dearly  e...  ^  *ble  should  he  be  taken.  There  he  lay,  won- 
dering how  long  before  they  would  reach  the  American 
side.  After  what  seemed  to  liim  an  immeasurable  length  of 
time  he  found  that  the^  were  making  bustling  preparations 
for  landing.  One  ot  the  crew  came  to  him  and  assisted 
him  in  emerging  from  his  hiding  place,  warning  him  to  be 
careful  that  the  captain  did  not  see  him ;  but  it  was  too 
lats.  His  quick  eye  had  already  spied  him  out,  and  just 
as  Joe  had  reached  the  edge  of  the  boat,  the  captain's 
hand  was  laid  on  his  shoulder,  ordering  him  to  stop.     He 


30 


«prang  with  one  bouud  to  the  shore,  and  stooping,  picked 
up  a  stone  in  either  hand,  telling  him  to  advance  another 
step  and  he  would  kill  him.  Several  standing  near  urged 
him  to  put  his  threat  into  execution.  The  officer  suppos- 
ing he  was  among  friends  did  not  follow  him  and  he  re- 
mained unmolested. 

What  was  his  great  joy  to  find  Nels,  who  had  escaped 
some  time  before,  and  who  had  looked  for  and  hoped  to 
see  Joe.  • 

They  started  for  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  traveling  by  on©  of 
the  old  tramways,  which  was  of  very  different  construc- 
tion from  the  railways  of  to-day.  The  cars  were  large  and 
clumsy,  compared  with  the  elegant  modern  coaches  •  the 
track,  composed  of  wooden  rails,  instead  of  iron  and  the 
pro  filing  power,  horses.  Their  route  took  them  through 
Rochester,  which  can  best  be  described  by  a  clipping  cut 
from  an  old  English  paper.  Men  and  Manners  of  Amer- 
ca: 

''We  reached  Rochester  undei  the  influence  of  a  burning 
sun.  The  hotel  was  excellent,  and  the  luxury  of  cold 
baths  and  the  civility  of  the  landlord,  induced  me  to  delay 
progress  to  the  following  day.  In  the  cool  of  the  evening, 
I  strolled  out  to  see  the  falls  of  the  Genesee.  The  height 
of  the  uppermost  is  considerable,  being  about  ninety  feet, 
und  the  water  rushes  over  it  gracefully  ;  but  the  vicinity 


i\' 


H\ 


1 


i 


I 


■r 


40 


11 


of  sundry  saw  and  cornmills  has  destroyed  the  romantic 
interest  which  invested  it  in  the  days  when  the  cataract 
blew  his  trumpet  from  the  steep  amid  the  stillness  of  the 
surrounding  forest.  The  old  proverb,  de  gustibus,  &c., 
receives  illustration  in  evary  country.  An  eccentric  man 
called  Sam  Patch,  having  an  aversion  to  honest  industry, 
made  it  his  profession  to  jump  over  all  the  water  falls  in 
the  country.  Niagara  was  too  much  for  him,  but  he 
sprang* from  a  lofty  rock,  some  distance  below  the  Horse- 
shoe fall,  with  impunity.  His  last  jump  was  at  the  fall 
just  described,  of  the  Genesee  in  the  autumn  of  1829  from 
a  scaflfold  elevated  twenty-live  feet  above  the  tuble  rock, 
making  a  descent  altogether  of  a  hundred  and  tkventy-five 
feet ;  he  fearlessly  plunged  into  the  boilin,?^  caldron  be- 
neath. His  body  was  not  discovered  for  many  months, 
and  was  at  length  found  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  six 
miles  below.  Rochester  is  a  place  worth  seeing.  Thirty 
years  ago  there  was  not  a  house  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
now  there  is  a  town,  containing  twenty  thousand  good 
Americans  and  true,  with  churches,  banks,  theatres  and 
all  other  oppidan  appurtenances  to  match.  Such  growth 
is  more  like  forcing  in  a  hot-bed  than  the  natural  p  ogress 
of  human  vegetation.  For  a  great  deal  of  its  prosperiy, 
Eochester  is  indebted  to  the  Erie  Canal,  which  brought 
its  advantageous  proximity  to  Lake  Ontario  into  full  play. 


hi 


41 


The  Canal  runs  through  the  center  of  the  town  and  cross- 
es the  Genesee  by  an  aqueduct,  which,  according  to  the 
Northern  Tourist,  cost  rising  of  eighty  thousand  dollars, 
whatever  sum  that  may  amount  to.  There  are  several 
streets  in  Eochester  which  might  be  backed  at  reasonably 
odds  against  any  in  Hull  or  Newcastle,  to  say  nothing  of 
Cork,  Falmouth  or  Berwick,  upon  Tweed.  The  appear- 
ance of  the  shops  indicates  the  prevalence  of  respectable 
opulence.  Those  of  the  jewelers  display  a  stock  of  Paris 
trinkets  and  silver  snuff-boxes.  There  are  silks  and  Leg- 
horn bonnets  for  the  seduction  of  the  ladies,  and  the  win- 
dows of  the  tailors  are  adorned  by  colored  prints  of  gen- 
tlemen in  tight-fitting  swallow  tails,  with  the  epigraph, 
'New  York  fashions  for  May." 

This  may  be  considered  a  fair  type  of  the  English  esti- 
mate of  everything  American  fifty  years  ago,  and  yet  it  is 
noi,  strange  tliat  he  does  not  comprehend  the  full  import 
of  the  purroundiugs,  as  he  must  view  them  from  the  stand- 
poiiit  of  his  native  towns,  that,  since  the  crusades  have 
been  plodding  their  way  up  to  respectable  mediocrity. 
But  coiild  he  stand  in  the  "hoi-bed  growth"  after  half  a 
century  and  see  its  dusty  mills  grind  out  flour  enough  in 
a  single  day  to  effectually  dam  the  Thames  at  London  he 
could  comprehend  the  true  meaning  of  American  progress. 

The  objective  point  next  being  Chicago,  Ills.,  where  the 


''■i 


t+4 


42 


!^  I 


young  men  were  going  to  engage  in  working  on  the  Canal 
then  in  process  of  construction  from  the  lake  to  the  Illi- 
nois Eiver. 

Some  facts  gathered  earlier  in  regard  to  Chicago  may 
not  be  out  of  place  in  this  connection.  Being  at  the  head 
of  Lake  Michigan,  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  river  bearing 
the  same  name  as  the  city,  a  sluggish  stream  formed  by 
the  junction  of  two  branches  a  little  over  half  a  mile  from 
its  mouth,  one  flowing  from  tho  northwest  ■  I."  ^r  from 
the  southwest;  the  river  and  its  branches  divi'ilLig  the  city 
into  three  natural  divisions,  known  as  the  south,  north  and 
west.  During  the  time  of  the  possession  by  the  French — 
after  which  it  was  ceded  to  England — very  little  is  known 
of  Chicago  or  its  surroundings.  The  border  Indian  war? 
encouraged  hj  the  English,  was  general  throughout  the 
Western  States ;  but  being  taught  a  lesson  by  Gener<il 
Way\ie,  the  chiefs  of  the  respective  tribes  assembled  ;«t 
Greenville,  O.,  and  there  effected  a  treaty  of  peace,  jt  ;•;! 
reference  to  an  early  history  of  Chicago,  the  tract  of  Isja' 
on  the  present  site  of  that  place,  ceded  by  the  Indians  to 
the  United  States,  is  described  thus :  "One  piece  of  lanr'^ 
six  miles  square,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chikajo  Kiver,  emp- 
tying into  the  southwest  end  of  Lake  Michigan,  where  a 
fort  formerly  stood."  According  to  another  autl? 'i,  the 
orthography  of  the  word  is  thus  :  "Chacaqua,  Indiai.     or 


43 


118  to 

lanrl 
er.ip- 
■ere  a 
.  iiie 
ot 


thunder,  and  so  called  after  the  Indian  Thor  or  Thunder 
God."  Those  who  saw  the  uninviting  spot  upwards  of 
forty  years  ago,  little  dreamed  that  at  the  i)resent  time  it 
would  rank  as  the  third  city  in  size,  and  the  second  in 
point  of  commericial  importance  in  the  United  States. 
The  site  is  described  as  exceedingly  low,  at  the  time  of  its 
early  settlement  its  elevation  being  only  seven  feet  above 
the  lake,  but  later  it  has  been  raised  by  tilling  in,  until  it  is 
now  fourteen  feet  above.  • 

The  first  who  came  as  residents  chose  the  west  side 
called  Wolfs  Point.  Here  was  a  school-house,  church  and 
store.  On  the  south  side  stood  Wentworth's  Tavern,  at 
that  time  the  best  in  the  village.  Leading  men  who  visit- 
ed there  chose  it  as  their  temporary  home.  Gen.  Scott 
made  it  his  headquarters  when  he  came  with  troops  during 
the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1832. 

Congressman  Cook,  for  whom  the  county  is  named,  made 
a  great  effort  to  induce  Congress  to  make  some  provision 
by  which  a  canal  connecting  Lake  Michigan  with  the  Illi- 
nois river,  and  thus  t^'orming  a  direct  communication  with 
the  Mississippi,  thence  with  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which 
was  done,  by  granting  each  alternate  section  of  land,  live 
miles  on  each  p.ide  of  the  proposed  canal. 

This  plan  attracted  settlers  and  adventurers.  A  new 
Impetus  was   given  to  trade   and   speculation,  and  the  in- 


■HMkiiM^ 


44 

creased  demand  for  labor  made  this  new  Held  an  attractive 
one  for  all  classes. 

On  arriving  at  Chicago  the  first  opening  to  present  itself 
was  work  on  the  canal,  which  was  then  nearly  completed  as 
far  out  as  Lockport,  and  the  work  was  being  pushed  from 
that  point  with  much  rapidity.  Like  most  enterprises  of 
its  character  in  a  new  country,  it  had  many  embarrass- 
m  /  The  entire  length  of  construction  was  a  sparsely 

popui  e'd  section,  and  most  of  it  through  swampy  and 
malarial  districts,  where  large  lakes,  or  bayous  from  the 
river,  and  an  immense  growth  of  vegetation  made  it  al- 
most as  pestilential  as  the  famous  line  of  the  Panama  rail- 
road. But  few  men  could  withstand  the  miasmatic  influ- 
ences for  more  than  a  fortnight,  so  that  the  constant  change 
of  hands  and  foremen  retarded  the  work  to  a  considerable 
extent. 

The  two  friends  not  being  able  longer  to  breathe  the 
poisonous  air  were  obliged  to  give  up  work,  as  already  the 
"chills"  had  seized  them.  Only  those  who  have  felt  its 
icy  grip,  alternating  with  burning  heat,  can  understand  the 
full  import  of  that  word. 

A  few  days  finds  them  about  to  take  passage  on  a  steam- 
boat at  Chicago  ;  from  there  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Joe's  father 
was  then  residing  at  Sandusky,  O.  Although  the  boat 
stopped  there  for  supplies,  he  did  not  at  the  time  know  of 


45 


the 

% 

the 

'.'i 

itB 

the 

m 

am- 

1 

her 

loat 

J 

^of 

i 

his  father's  whereabouts,  and  again  failed  to  see  hint, 
learning  afterward  that  he  had  removed  his  family  there 
some  months  before. 

The  travelers  went  from  Buffalo  to  Boston,  to  embark 
on  a  ship  en  route  for  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

While  our  adventurers  are  awaiting  preparations  for  the 
departure  of  the  ship  we  will  invite  the  reader's  attention 
to  sight-scieingin  the  historic  city.  Among  the  chief  objects 
of  interest  is  the  Old  State  House,  built  for  the  British 
authorities  in  1712,  now  the  oldest  public  building  stand- 
ing in  Boston.  Christ's  Church,  dedicated  in  1723,  being 
next  in  age. 

The  ladies  of  Boston  have  since,  with  the  characteristic 
energy  and  decision  of  the  New  England  dames,  raised  a 
fund  by  holding  a  fair,  the  proceeds  of  which  they  have 
used  in  some  necessary  repairs  upon  the  building  and  the 
purchase  of  antiquities,  it  now  being  used  for  a  museum, 
where  may  be  seen  many  collections  of  relics  of  the  revo- 
lution and  other  articles  around  which  cluster  "historical 
memories."  The  chandelier  which  has  hung  for  so  many 
years,  within  a  short  time  has  fallen  and  been  shattered  to 
pieces,  the  chain  which  held  it  having  become  corroded, 
gave  way,  precipitating  it  to  the  floor.  Faneuil  Hall,  of 
oratorio  fame,  a  gift  from  Peter  Faneuil  in  1743,  next  claims 
our  attention,  this  edifice  having  now  been  enlarged.    The 


I    I; 


y 


I 


■u 


II  ! 


i^ 


i!!i 


46 

State  House,  built  in  1798,  occupies  the  highest  laud  in 
the  city,  looking  down  upon  the  "Commons"  held  so  dear 
to  the  heart  of  every  Bostoniau.  It  contains  forty  eight 
acres  and  is  beautified  by  numerous  shade  trees. 

A.  trip  from  Boston  to  St.  Louis  in  these  early  days  was 
quite  a  diflFerent  aflfair  from  our  present  semi-annihilation 
of  time  and  space  in  a  Pullman  sleeper  dangling  at  t  .e 
end  of  a  "Limited  Express."  The  ordinary  route  of  travel 
was  by  ocean  vessel  to  New  Orleans,  thence  by  river  to 
St.  Louis  J  and  the  coast  steamer  of  1838  is  hardly  to  be 
compared  with  the  palatial  packets  lying  at  the  piers  on 
our  Atlantic  seaboard. 

But  one  particular  phase  of  a  passage  from  the  eastern 
coast  to  the  gulf,  has  not  been  materially  changed  nor  en- 
tirely obliterated  by  improved  means  of  travel,  namely : 
the  passage  of  CapeHatteras.  At  this  season  of  the  year 
(October)  the  mariner  finds  but  little  smooth  sea  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  Cape,  and  Joe's  vojage  was  no  exception. 
After  several  days  of  beautiful  sunshine  and  a  smooth  sea, 
as  the  turbulent  locality  was  approached  the  indications 
became  apparent  to  the  seaman  that  one  of  those  contin- 
ued, violent  storms  was  imminent. 

The  course  of  the  vessel  was  at  once  changed  and  ref- 
uge taken  in  Albemarle  Sound,  near  Koanoke  Island. 
Here  for  four  days  lay  the  impatient  travelers,  while  the 


mmm 


47 


storm  raged  with  a  fury  only  known  to  these  peculiar  lo- 
calities, that  seemed  to  be  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  storm 
gods.  Could  our  hero  have  possessed  the  lapstone  of 
Cobbler  Keizer  with  which  to  have  scanned  his  surround- 
ings, with  the  fearful  drama  then  being  enacted  twenty- 
four  years  afterward,  how  incredulous  the  recital  would 
have  seemed ;  and  yet  how  much  less  marvelous  would 
liave  been  the  predictions  for  almost  any  locality  in  our 
great  land  of  phenomenal  growth  and  development  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century  in  advance. 

As  the  storm  had  by  this  time  spent  its  fury,  and  the 
coast  though  not  in  any  sense  inviting,  was  less  hazardous, 
tlie  voyage  was  continued,  and  after  a  rough  passage 
around  Florida  the  passengers  were  safely  disembarked, 
and  after  the  usual  detention  a  river  steamer  was  boarded 
en  route  for  St.  Louis. 

Natchez  was  at  this  time  a  city  of  4826  inhabitants  and 
the  largest  m  the  State  of  Mississippi,  situated  on  a  bluff, 
presenting  an  unusually  neat  appearance;  the  houses  be- 
ing built  with  piazzas  and  balconies,  in  order  that  their 
occupants  may  enjoy  the  evening  air.  The  gardens  pre- 
sent a  beautiful  appearance,  ornamented  with  orange 
trees,  tigs,  plums  and  peaches.  It  being  the  principal 
shipping  point  for  cotton  to  New  Orleans,  during  the  busy 
season  the  streets  are  tilled  with  bales  to  such  an  extent 


It 


I 


rw 


48 


;'i! 


[mn\ 


!l!i!!!!' 


that  it  is  almoBt  impossible  to  pass.  The  town  then  being 
at  rather  a  discount  in  regard  to  morals,  one  of  the  boat's 
crew  related  to  Joe  and  his  companion  some  of  the  de- 
vices by  which  the  uninitiated  are  ensnared. 

"In  the  evening  a  steamer  stops  at  Natchez  to  unload 
or  take  in  goods ;  the  passengers  seeing  several  houses 
lighted  up,  and  hearing  the  sounds  of  fiddles  and  merri> 
ment,  run  up  to  see  what  is  going  on.  They  find  dancing,, 
gambling  and  drinking  the  employment  of  the  evening. 
The  bell  of  the  steamboat  rings,  to  announce  that  she  is 
about  to  continue  her  voyage,  the  lights  in  the  houses  of 
entertainment  are  immediately  extinguished,  and  the  pas- 
sengers run  out,  afraid  of  being  too  late  for  the  boat,  start 
down  towards  the  landing.  Ropes  are  drawn  across  the 
road,  the  passengers  fall  'heels  over  head,'  and  a  number 
of  stout  ruffians  strip  them  of  their  money  and  watches. 
When  they  get  on  board  they  are  in  bad  plight,  but  of 
course  can  get  no  redress  of  their  grievances,  and  never 
see  or  hear  anything  of  their  plunderers  again." 

Nothing  of  an  exciting  nature  occurring  on  the  trip,  St» 
Louis  was  at  last  reached;  weeks,  instead  of  days  having 
elapsed  since  leaving  Boston  harbor.  The  travelers  found 
a  city,  then  containing  21,000  inhabitants,  mostly  French 
and  Germans,  the  site  of  the  town  sloping  gently  up  from 
the  water  and  the  streets  lying  mostly  parallel  with  the 


49 


river.  Here  is  a  Catholic  college,  a  hospital,  and  an  or- 
phan asylum  nnder  the  care  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity. 
The  fur  trade,  the  lead  mines,  and  the  supplies  for  the  In- 
dians create  considerable  business.  Coal  and  minerals 
abound.  There  is  a  United  States  arsenal  below  the  city, 
and  Jefferson  Barracks,  an  important  military  station,  five 
miles  below. 

After  a  stay  of  several  days,  with  nothing  in  the  way  of 
employment  offering  itself,  they  concluded  to  go  up  the 
river. 


TT-" 


50 


!    I 


ill 


I  ' ' 


"  'iiiiii 


CHAPTER  III. 

Lead  Fields  at  Galena — Secrecy  Enjoined — Early  Methods 
of  Transportation  on  the  Upper  Mississippi — Indians 
of  Lake  Superior. 
As  the  new  lead  fields  were  being  opened  in  the  vicinity 
of  Galena,  Illinois,  after  the   necessary  arrangements  for 
the  passage,  they  embarked  on  a  river  packet  for  the  Up- 
per Mississippi.     Ten  days  in  transit  from   St.   Louis  to 
Galena  is  somewhat  of  a  tiresome  statement  now,   but  to 
make  this  passage  against  the  current,  and  following  the 
windings  of  the  river  in  its  unimproved  condition  is  no 
small  undertaking,  and  still  I  have  seen  about   as  tine   a 
display  of  impatience  on  a  "through  express"  making  fifty 
miles  an  hour,  including  stojps,  as  I  ever  saw  in  the  days 
of  river  travel,  with  all  its  hindrances  and  tediousness. 

Galena  was  at  this  time  a  true  type  of  the  mining  town. 
Like  a  fishing  camp  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
nothing  could  be  seen  indicating  that  the  inhabitants  had 
come  to  stay.  The  buildings,  the  streets,  the  industries — 
all  had  that  air  so  well  expressed  by  that  unique  Yankee 
word,  "shiftlessness."  Everything  was  done  in  a  half-shod 
fashion,  and  the  people  who  came  there  were  in  every 
sense  adventurers. 


nil 


51 


Inconvenience  seemed  to  be  the  rule  in  almost  every- 
thing. The  appliances  for  smelting  were  of  the  rudest 
character,  and  but  little  effort  was  made  to  improve  them. 
The  narrow  river,  five  miles  from  the  mouth  of  which  the 
village  was  located,  would  not  permit  the  larger  steamers 
to  turn,  so  they  must  back  down  to  the  mouth.  The  land- 
ing was  but  little  better  than  that  of  a  "wooding  place" 
along  the  Mississippi. 

As  work  on  the  farms  closed  up  in  the  fall,  and  naviga- 
tion was  suspended,  and  the  long,  monotouous  winter  ap- 
proached, the  whole  "working  force"  of  the  country  flock- 
ed to  the  lead  fields.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  to  find  in 
one  camp  the  farmer  from  Southern  Illinois,  Eastern  Mis- 
souri and  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  the  boatman  of 
the  Upper  Mississippi,  and  the  "freighter",  who  was  tak- 
ing refuge  from  the  bleak  winds  of  the  plains.  And  al- 
though the  wages  were  low,  and  but  little  could  be  saved 
from  a  winter's  toil  in  the  mines,  that  little  was  better  than 
nothing,  and  the  few  dollars  then  accumulated  were  of 
great  service  to  the  frontiersman  in  car^,,  \]\g  out  his  plans 
for  the  next  year.       . 

The  earliest  discovery  and  occupation  of  these  lead 
ftelds  is  still  somewhat  shrouded  in  mystery.  It  is  related 
by  some  of  the  early  French  settlers  that  for  many  years 
before  the  people  of  the    valley  became    informed  in    re- 


1( 

J  4 


ft 


!i 


I 

i 
i 


52 


u 


!    ii 


gard  to  the  rich  deposits,  a  Frenchman  named  Shultah  of 
St.  Louis,  with  a  few  e  i^orn  assistants,  began  smelting  this 
material  and  taking  it  to  St.  Louis  in  small  boats,  where  it 
was  traded  to  European  merchants  without  giving  the 
slightest  information  as  to  where  it  was  procured.  To 
what  extent  this  traffic  was  carried  on  is  quite  difficult  to 
determine,  but  it  is  very  safe  to  assume  that  one  nice  for- 
tune was  accumulated  in  this  way.  The  labor  at  the 
smelting  works  was  by  no  means  healthful  or  inviting. 

The  mdtal  was  handled  without  the  aid  of  machinery, 
and  at  any  season  of  the  year  the  heat  attending  this  work 
was  almost  intolerable,  and  it  was  no  unnsv  'ght  to  see 
the  most  stalwart  faint  from  the  contact  witn  the  hot  air 
and  poisonous  fumes  thrown  off  by  the  molten  metal. 
And  not  only  at  the  furnace  is  this  experienced,  but  the 
air,  the  water,  the  food,  your  bed,  in  fact  everything  is 
permeiited  and  saturated  with  the  subtle  poison.  And 
Joe,  while  he  had  a  splendid  physique,  could  not  with- 
stand all  these  assaults  upon  his  vitality,  and  after  a  year 
of  incessant  toil,  found  increasing  symptoms  of  that  mala- 
dy to  which  30  many  had  yielded,  namely,  lead  poison, 
and  he  determined  to  seek  some  other  field  of   operation. 

The  first  opportunity  which  offered  itself  was  the  man- 
agement of  a  keelboat  on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  between 
Dubuque  and  St.  Paul.    "St.    Pauls,  as    it  was    called  in 


''n':r 


53 


those  days;  was  bnt  a  small  town — less  than  a  thousand 
people,  but  was  growing  rapidly.  The  territorial  govern- 
ment had  not  yet  been  established,  and  the  entire  country 
was  in  a  sense  without  government.  Yet  from  what  I 
have  observed  of  our  frontier,  I  conclude  that  no  section 
more  rapidly  adjusted  itself  to  the  surroundings  and  don- 
ned the  garb  of  civilization  than  did  the  territory  of  Minn- 
esota, which  received  its  name  from  the  Indian  appellation 
given  to  the  St.  Peters  river  and  signified  "turbid  water.'^ 

The  settlers  who  came  to  +'iis  section  were  home-seek- 
ers, not  adventurers.  They  were  from  the  crowded  farms 
and  villages  of  New  England  and  the  Middle  States,  and 
with  other  essentials,  they  brought  with  them  industry  and 
frugality.  Thus  armed  for  the  conquest  of  the  wilderness, 
without  ostentation  or  boom  they  have  hewed  out  for 
themselves  and  their  nation,  one  of  the  brightest  jewels  in 
the  diadem  of  States. 

Captain,  as  Joe  was  now  called,  found  his  new  vocation 
a  very  congenial  one,  and  he  made  three  trips  as  captain 
of  a  crew,  and  while  his  work  was  not  considered  hazard- 
ous, as  the  country  was  being  rapidly  settled,  it  was  not 
entirely  free  from  danger.  Indians  were  continually 
skulking  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  although  they 
were  not  in  open  hostility,  they  were  not  the  most  amiable 
creatures  living;  and  as  the  boats  glided  up  and  down  the 


I 


i 


■f 


I 


I 


41 


f['- 


w^ 


54 

river  it  was  lo  unusual  thing  to  see  a  little  puff  of  smoke 
rise  iVom  the  thicket  and  see  the  shot  glance  from  the 
water  or  rattle  against  the  sides  of  the  boat.  The  arms, 
however,  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians  were  of  inferior 
make  and  short  range,  so  but  little  damage  resulted  from 
these  assaults.  Yet  those  are  the  shadows  that  the  bold 
spirit  of  adventure  has  dispelled  from  the  pathway  of  lux- 
ury and  i)leasure. 

The  American  Fur  Company  engaged  a  number  of  e  al- 
wart  men  to  go  up  into  the  v  icinity  of  the  Great  Lakes  to 
vaccinate  the  Indians,  as  a  preventive  against  small-pox,, 
but  the  virus  was  really  to  inoculate  them  for  that  loathe- 
some  disease.  The  tribes  in  this  region  were  so  hostile 
that  the  traders  could  not  traffic  with  them,  and  knowing 
the  subduing  effects  which  sickness  has  upon  the  Indian, 
thought  that  if  they  could  succeed  in  making  them 
thoroughly  sick  tliey  might  purchase  their  furs  to  good 
advantage. 

Twenty  three  men  iiiciuding  the  two  who  have  accom- 
panied us  so  far  in  our  narrative  were  sent.  Birch  canoes 
were  used  for  the  entire  trip.  The  root  of  this  word  be- 
ing "cane",  a  reed  or  hollow  stem  signifying  hoUowness. 
Those  familiar  with  the  bark  of  the  birch-tree  are  aware 
of  its  adaptability  to  being  stripped  into  large  sheets  from 
its  trunk,  and  owing    to  its    great  toughness    it  becomes 


55 


valuable  when  utilized  into  pails,  drinking  vessels  and 
canoes. 

Should  an  opening  occur  in  the  boat  it  can  be  patched 
iu  much  the  same  manner  that  the  housewife  pastes  wall- 
paper over  a  torn  or  disfigured  portion  of  the  wall.  The 
boat  is  inverted,  and  a  sheet  of  birch  bark  glued  over  the 
opening,  and  as  soon  as  dry  it  is  considered  safe  for  use 
again.  At  points  where  the  boatmen  stop  to  replenish 
their  stock  of  meats,  they  may  be  seen  with  glue  pots 
mending  the  apertures  which  have  been  made  during  the 
irip,  apatch  is  placed  on  the  inside  and  outside  of  the 
boat  over  the  opening  so  that  in  case  it  becomes  loosened 
on  the  outside  they  can  then  hasten  to  the  shore  for  re- 
pairs, the  inner  piece  usually  remaining  until  they  reach 
terra  firma,  much  haste  sometimes  being  required  however 
to  get  to  land  before  the  boat  fills  with  water. 

As  soon  as  the  party  reached  the  Indian  country  their 
lives  were  in  jeopardy  every  moment,  they  were  shot  at 
from  every  side.  Joe's  seemed  a  sort  of  a  charmed  life 
as  he  did  not  receive  a  wound.  But  notwithstanding  the 
dangers  attending  the  trip  ihey  comi)leted  their  journey, 
some,  however,  turned  back,  claiming  they  had  been  de- 
ceived as  to  the  object  of  the  enterprise. 

Two  of  their  men  were  taken  with  the  small-pox  and 
died  upon  their  return  voyage.    The  bodies  of   these  un- 


m 
nil 


;^l 


^iVi 


i 


4' 


\i 


hi 


If 


JVM 
fill 


I 


im 


111 


I 

56 

fortunate  men  were  taken  ashore  and  graves  dug,  using 
such  care  as  their  surroundings  furnished,  wrapping  them 
in  blankets  and  placing  boughs  of  trees  over  them  that 
the  earth  might  not  crush  the  body,  and  there  they  lay. 
Perhaps  in  an  eastern  home  a  mother  watched  and  waited 
their  return. 

After  a  detention  of  a  few  days  they  started  on  their 
return  trip,  going  via.  Green  Bay  thence  to  Mackinaw,  then 
up  the  St.  Marys  river  to  Lake  Superior,  keeping  along 
the  northern  coast  of  Michigan,  then  going  to  St.  Paul. 


67 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Travel  on  snow  shoes — Dogs  for  transportation — Sledges. 

Joe  was  now  known  as  Captain  Rocky,  gaining  tlie  first 
title  when  taking  the  three  trips  on  the  Upper  Mississippi. 
The  latter  being  added  after  his  exploits  to  the  Rocky 
mountains. 

He  was  now  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Fur  Com- 
pany who  sent  parties  west  with  trinkets  and  such  articles 
as  could  be  exchanged  for  furs.  The  passage  being  made 
in  the  winter,  the  men  going  on  foot  owing  to  the  route 
not  being  accessible  by  houses.  The  load  of  each  man  be- 
ing one  hundred  and  fifty  poundn,  an<l  carried  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner.  The  articles  wore  packed  in  a  buffalo 
skin,  a  strap  was  then  fastened  to  the  bundle  and  came 
up  over  the  shoulders  and  passed  around  tlie  forehead, 
the  one  carrying  the  load  bending  forwar<l  in  order  to 
make  the  weight  as  light  as  possible  on  the  strap.  The 
gun  and  blanket  being  placed  in  the   space   between  the 

back  and  luggage.    Then,  to  add  to  their  discomfort  they 
walked  on  snow-shoes,  so  that  their  feet  were  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  inches  apart. 
These  shoes  are  in  quite  general  use  in  countries  where 


lil 


!:' 


i4 


II 


m 


\  11 


!  i 


1 


I      ' 


58 

snow  abounds  and  remains  for  a  good  portion  of  the  year» 
It  consists  of  a  flat  piece  or  frame,  shaped  like  the  head 
of  a  lance,  from  eight  to  fifteen  inches  broad  in  the  widest 
part,  of  great  length,  sometimes  as  much  as  seven  feet, 
but  usually  about  four.  It  is  either  wholly  of  wood  filled 
with  wicker  work,  or  thongs,  and  has  cross  straps  on  the 
upper  part  to  attach  it  to  the  foot,  the  broad  surface  pre- 
venting it  from  sinking  into  the  snow. 

My  dainty  sir  of  the  nineteenth  century,  who  treads  so 
cautiously  on  stone  or  brick  pavements,  fearing  you  may 
soil  your  immaculate  patent  leather,  or  mayhap  you  do 
not  even  exhaust  yourself  by  the  exertion  of  walking  a 
few  blocks,  but  call  to  your  aid  a  cushioned  barouche,  or 
if  not  quite  so  fastidious,  a  street  car,  almost  ignoring  the 
fact  that  nature  has  supplied  you  with  appendages  which 
were  unquestionably  made  to  assist  your  locomotion, 
imagine  yourself  in  the  position  of  the  travelers  just  de- 
scribed. But  you  say  there  is  no  necessity  of  that  "now. 
Yes,  but  there  was  necessity  at  that  time  of  such  privations- 
as  the  early  adventurers  experienced,  that  you  and  I  to- 
day might  sit  in  the  lap  of  luxury,  hardly  realizing  that 
half  a  century  back  men  froze,  and  starved,  and  met  death. 
at  the  hands  of  hostile  Indians,  that  the  west  might  bring 
forth  its  wealth  of  forest,  mine  and  stream. 

Oftentimes  rations  became  short  and  at  such  times  the 


meu  ate  very  lightly,  for  when  supplies  are  limited  and 
there  is  no  opportunity  of  replenishing  them,  then  a  half 
meal  will  suffice,  and  the  brave  men  patiently  and  silently 
bore  their  discomfort.  This  mode  of  transportation  being  so 
bard  for  the  men  the  company  on  the  next  trip  secured 
dogs  to  convey  the  goods  from  the  fort  situated  on  the 
Yellowstone,  near  the  British  possessions.  Sledges  being 
used,  to  which  from  eight  to  sixteen  do  gs  were  attached 

• 

This  mode  of  travel  was  a  decided  improvement  on  the 
former,  but  the  poor  animals  would  sometimes  cry  pite- 
ously,  when  the  loads  were^  heavy  and  the  tracks  unusu- 
ally rough.  At  times  one  had  to  be  sacrificed  to  appease 
the  hunger  of  the  men;  but  in  the  main  they  were  kindly 
treated  and  well  fed.  In  going  down  a  precipitous  place 
there  was  danger  of  the  load  running  against  the  dogs,  but 
to  prevent  this,  a  sapling  was  bent  and  fjistened  on  the 
bottom  of  the  sled  in  such  a  manner  as  to  retard  its 
progress,  in  this  way  preventing  any  accident. 

The  mode  of  camping,  while  it  was  not  as  they  would 
have  chosen,  had  they  wished  to  be  particular,  at  least  was 
exceedingly  novel.  A  hole  was  made  in  the  snow  into 
which  the  dogs  were  driven,  and  the  men  entered  with 
their  blankets,  all  occupying  the  same  bed,  not  of  "snowy 
linen,"  but  of  snow.  By  this  means  they  were  quite  com- 
fortable.   A  resting  place  of  thio  sort  is  said  to  be  warm 


I 


Sf 


t' 


■V 


5 
4 


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&' 


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M  'V. 


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,1  •\..y,''    ,ll 

■i 'ill';  :'■'.: 


^'l! 


\iiM 


mum 

'in' 'I   i;  M 


«0 

and  prevents  travelers  from  freezing.  A  storm  often  arose, 
making  it  necessary  to  remain  in  close  quarters,  sometimes 
several  days  elapsing  before  they  could  safely  proceed  on 
their  journey. 

The  third  trip  taken  to  California  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Eocky  was  made  by  horses  and  will  be  related  by 
himself:  "Early  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  forty-seven  of  us 
were  sent  across  the  mountains  to  procure  shells,  which 
were  to  be  traded  to  Indians,  who  used  them  for  ornaments. 
We  had  received  our  loads,  which  were  securely  packed 
on  our  horses,  and  were  on  our  return  trip.  The  Indians 
made  several  attempts  to  capture  us,  and  did  succeed  in 
stampeding  our  horses,  the  result  being  the  loss  of  every 
thing  for  which  we  had  traveled  so  far,  and  we  were  com- 
pelled to  start  out  on  foot.  Having  a  trusty  guide  we  ap- 
prehended no  particular  danger,  but  before  we  had  gone 
far  on  our  way  we  were  horrified  to  find  that  the  prairie 
was  on  fire,  and  to  one  who  has  never  seen  such  a  sight 
neither  tongue  nor  pen  can  convey  to  him  the  awfulness 
and  grandeur  of  the  scene. 

All  we  could  do  was  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  which  we 
did  with  all  possible  speed,  but  in  our  haste  we  lost  the 
points  of  compass,  and  when  we  were  out  of  danger  from 
the  fire  we  were  completely  mystified.  Here  we  were  on 
a  prairie  stretching  miles  away,  surrounded  by  nothing 


91 


but  smoke,  and  not  a  land-mark  in  sight — our  guide  lost,^ 
as  well  as  ourselves.  For  days  we  wandered  about  on  the 
vast  plain,  the  air  filled  with  ashes,  dust  and  pieces  of 
burned  grass,  and  the  ground  hot  and  scorching.  With- 
out food  or  water  our  position  was  anything  but  enviable 
— nothing  but  a  desolate  waste  on  every  side.  The  sixth 
day  about  noon  we  were  completely  exhausted,  and  felt 
sure  if  we  did  not  get  aid  that  we  must  perish.  In  utter 
despair  we  lay  down  to  die,  as  it  seemed  there  was  noth- 
ing else  left  for  us  to  do. 

To  those  who  read  these  lines  I  trust  that  you  may 
never  undergo  the  agony  of  starvation,  for  it  is  the  most 
terrible  of  sufferings,  when  at  the  same  time  you  are  de- 
prived of  even  a  drop  of  water,  that  which  Nature  has. 
provided  with  such  lavish  hand. 

As  we  lay  there  not  knowing  how  long  we  could  live  in 
our  present  condition,  with  no  prospect  of  its  being  bet- 
ter, our  guide  proposed  as  a  last  resort  that  we  draw  cuts 
to  see  who  should  die  to  save  the  company,  This  propo- 
sition at  first  shocked  us,  but  physical  weakness  gained 
ihe  mastery  over  the  higher  nature,  and  we  at  last  con- 
sented. This  may  seem  almost  incredulous  that  a  party 
of  men  would  consent  to  have  a  comrade's  life  sacrificed 
that  they  might  live,  bnt  lifo  is  very  dear,  and  as  it  has 
been  said  a  dying  man  catches  at  a  strr.^ ,  so  it  seemed  in 


I   j: 


llKlliil, 


*2 


j: 


k 


this  case.  The  cuts  were  arranged,  the  man  getting  the 
short  one  was  to  furnish  the  food  for  the  balance.  Under 
ordinary  circumstances  this  might  have  been  a  mere  pas- 
time attended  by  some  hilarity.  But  this  drawing  was  of 
much  moment  to  all.  No  merriment  now,  but  on  the 
other  hand,  with  blanched  faces  and  wildly  throbbing 
hearts,  each  one  drew  the  straw  which  would  decide  his 
fate,  perhaps  he  might  be  the  unfortunate  one. 

Should  I  be  spare  d  many  more  years  I  can  never  for- 
get the  expression  of  anxiety  upon  the  faces  of  those 
men,  the  awfulness  of  the  occasion  being  plainly  photo- 
graphed on  each  countenance. 

Not  knowing  what  might  be  my  fate,  my  thoughts  went 
back  hurriedly  to  my  little  sister  whom  I  had  loved  so  well 
and  my  heart  smote  me  that  I  had  ever  left  her.  At  last  our 
guide  announced,  amidst  a  deathlike  silence,  the  name  of 
the  unfortunate  man.  The  blow  fell  upon  me  like  a  thun- 
der bolt,  Nels  my  old  time  friend,  who  had  shared  my 
confidence,  had  suffered  with  me,  rejoiced  with  me,  and 
who  had  been  to  me  more  than  a  brother,  was  the  doom- 
ed man.  We  stood  for  a  moment  silently  looking  at  each 
other,  the  tears  trickling  from  our  faces,  but  no  words 
seemed  adequate  to  express  our  thoughts,  There  are 
times  when  silence  between  friends  is  more  significant 
than  beautifully  spoken  words.     I  mentally  wondered  '^it 


63 


would  be  possible  to  stand  by  and  see  my  friend  and  shot 
not  raise  a  band  in  his  defense.  Would  he  remain  quietly 
by  and  see  me  shot  down  ? 

These  were  some  of  the  thoughts  that  passed  through 
my  mind,  but  I  was  helpless;  nothing  that  I  could  do 
was  of  any  avail.  Manfully  he  bore  himself,  the  only  per- 
ceptible change  being  and  added  pallor,  and  the  hues 
about  the  mouth  more  firmly  drawn.  Coming  to  me  and 
resting  his  hand  upon  my  arm  and  without  a  quaver  in  his 
voice  gave  me  a  m<*s8age  to  send  his  father  and  mother  and 
a  few  tokens  which  he  had  about  his  person.  He  then  told 
us  he  was  ready  to  die.  I  cannot  express  my  feelings  at 
this  moment.  I  thought  of  my  mother  and  her  early  teach 
ings  and  offered  an  unworded  prayer  to  Him  whom, 
though  we  neglect  until  dangers  and  trials  come,  listens 
and  often  mercifully  answers  our  petitions — that  in  some 
way  Nels  might  be  saved. 

There  was  something  strikingly  im])08ing  in  the  man's 
appearance  at  all  times,  being  very  large  and  finely  form- 
ed and  erect  as  an  Indian,  with  large  black  eyes  having 
that  searcbiiig  far  away  look  which  we  sometimes  see  in 
persons  of  his  temperament.  But  now  he  seemed  simply 
grand,  standing  erect  and  calm  as  if  death  were  not  star- 
ing him  in  the  face.  Why  was  not  he  as  much  of  a  hero  as 
many  whom  poets  have  sung  and  historians  recorded  for 


ii- 


p 


jlljll 


64 

circumstances  had  placed  him  in  the  oalance  and  "not 
found  him  wanting"  in  the  par  excellence  of  the  true 
hero. 

Forty-six  men,  each  with  a  gun,  were  to  form  in  line 
Nels  to  advance,  and  when  he  had  made  twenty  steps  he 
was  to  turn  around  and  every  one  was  to  fire.     He  did 
not  flinch,  but  came  forward  cooly  and  deliberately  to  take 
the  steps  that  were  to  be  his  last  on  earth.    Every  man's 

heart  stood  still  as  the  paces  were  counted — one,  two,, 
three,  and  so  on,  and  as  he  distinctly  uttered  twenty,  turn- 
ed around,  exclaiming  as  he  did  so,  '^Comrades,  shoot  me 
here  I"  at  the  same  time  placing  hie  right  hand  upon  his 
left  breast  over  his  heart. 


.I'lii 

!i 


65 


CHAPTER  V. 

Saved — Return  to  Yellowstone  Fort — Carrying  Messages 
to  Fort  Blackfoot — Siiri)ri8ed — "Under  (Juard" — On 
Foot  in  a  Wilderness. 

Every  thing  turned  dark  before  me  and  I  failed  to  shoot. 
I  do  not  known  what  passed  through  my  mind  in  that 
short  space  of  time,  which  seemed  to  me  an  age.  All  T 
realized  was, that  I  closed  my  eyes  and  listened  for  there- 
port  of  my  companion's  guns.  After  a  moment's  silence  a 
voice  sounded  in  our  ears,  "1^/?!/  donH  you  shoot  9''^  and  I 
looked  along  the  line  of  men  to  see  what  they  were  doing. 
Every  man  stood  like  a  statue. 

Forty-six  men  who  had  faced  numberless  dangers  and 
could  face  a  whole  tribe  of  wild  Indians  without  flinching, 
could  not  raise  a  hand  when  called  upon  to  take  the  life  of 
a  friend  and  associate.  After  a  silence  of  a  few  moments 
each  man  grapped  the  hand  of  Xels,  either  audibly  or  si- 
lently thanking  God  that  he  still  lived. 

After  some  consultation  it  was  agreed  to  give  him  grace 
until  sundown,  and  each  man's  silent  prayer  was  that  some- 
thing might  occur  by  which  he  could  be  saved.    But  the 


111 


1 1 , 


h 


'If 

r  r 


![ 


f 


66 

hours  passed  and  the  sun  shone  as  brightly  as  on  a  more 
joyous  occasion  and  almost  seemed  to  mock  us  in  our 
distress. 

His  fate  now  appeared  to  be  inevitable,  as  the  sun  was 
fast  sinking  out  of  sight.  We  were  gazing  despairingly 
into  the  faces  of  our  companions,  mutely  wondering  what 
to  do,  when  as  if  by  magic  an  Indian  appeared  before  i  s. 
Each  man  grasped  his  gun  with  what  little  strength  re- 
mained and  the  poor  fellow  would  soon  have  been  killed,  but 
lie  threw  up  his  hands  signifying  that  he  would  surrender. 

He  made  us  understand  that  he  was  friendly,  proving  to 
be  one  of  the  Crows,  who  are  warlike  only  to  other  tribt^i^ 
but  friendly  towards  the  whites.  Pie  also  signified  hiS 
wish  to  take  us  to  camp,  and  as  anything  to  relieve  us  from 
our  present  condiUon  seemed  preferable  we  summoned 
our  remaining  strength  as  a  last  effort,  although  we  did  not 
know  what  new  dangers  awaited  us,  as  we  might  be  scalp- 
ed when  wb  arrived  in  camp.  We  followed  him,  and  some- 
what to  our  surprise,  and  greatly  to  our  joy,  we  were 
treated  with  much  consideration. 

Our  eyes  were  blood-shot,  our  tongues  swollen  and 
parched  so  that  we  could  scarcely  articulate.  They  gave 
us  a  little  water,  and  in  a  short  time  some  rabbit  broth  was 
prepared  for  us,  seeming  to  understand  as  well  as  a  "pro- 
fessional nurse"  that  solids  would  have  injured  aud  per- 


67 


baps  been  the  meaaij  of  killing  us  in  our  present  weakened 
condition.  After  this,  a  little  meat  was  given  us,  a  guard  be- 
ing placed  near,  that  we  might  not  overeat.  We  remained 
with  them  for  two  weeks,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  we 
were  well  recruited. 

The  Indians  accepted  such  trinkets  as  we  had  with  us 
as  a  partial  return  for  the  kindness  which  we  had  receiv- 
ed. After  a  few  days  spent  in  preparing  food  we  started 
on  our  journey  and  arrived  at  the  Yellowstone  Fort,  well 
worn  out,  for  we  had  been  on  the  road  forty  days  and  the 
entire  distance  had  been  taken  on  foot. 

For  nearly  a  year  I  had  comparatively  an  easy  time, 
remaining  about  the  fort,  but  still  in  the  employ  of  the  fur 
company,  always   holding   myself  in   readiness   for    any 

change  which  my  employers  might  see  tit  to  make.  Life 
here  did  not  become  monotonous,  as  one  might  suppose, 
and  the  hardships  through  which  I  bad  paHsed  had  not  in- 
timidated me,  althougn  they  would  not  have  been  my 
choice,  I  did  not  shrink  from  them.  I  acted  in  the  capa- 
city of  watchman  for  some  time,  it  being  my  duty  to  have 
general  supervision  of  the  fort,  seeing  that  everything  was 
right,  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  that  no  enemy  either  in  the 
person  of  a  white  man  or  Indian  committed  any  depreda- 
tions, as  it  was  not  uncommon  for  some  of  the  employees 
to  become  angry  and  in  a  spirit  of  revenge  do  some  mis- 


1 1 


68 

chief.  Often  lurking  Indians  made  us  considerable  trouble 
and  a  constant  guard  must  be  stationed  and  they  were  not 
always  reliable,  and  an^  delinquencies  on  their  part  it  was 
my  duty  to  report. 

One  afternoon  in  early  autumn  I  vras  leisurely  smoking 
my  pipe  and  feeling  quite  well  pleased  with  my  surround- 
ings, when  the  commander  of  the  fort  came  to  me  and  ex 
changed  a  few  pleasant  remarks,  then  asked  me  if  I  would 
like  to  take  a  trip.  I  replied  that  his  will  was  my  pleasure. 
He  wished  me  to  go  to  Fort  Blackfoot,  on  the  Upper  Mis- 
souri, to  inform  the  commander  that  the  U.  S.  Inspector 
was  coming  on  his  semi-annual  round  to  sec  if  any  alcohol 
could  be  found  about  the  forts. 

As  the  traders  found  it  much  easier  to  effect  good  bar- 
gains with  the  Indians  when  supplied  with  liquors  it  was 
not  a  very  uncommon  thing  to  smuggle  it  in  quite 
a  quantity.  I  selected  two  ponies,  one  to  ride,  the 
other  to  serve  as  a  pack-horse  for  my  blankets  and  provis- 
ions, promising  to  be  ready  early  the  next  morning.  The 
prospect  of  the  trip  was  not  especially  inviting  as  I  was  to 
^o  alone,  and  through  an  Indian  country,  and  they  were 
by  no  means  friendly. 

By  sunrise  I  was  ready  to  start  on  my  journey,  after  re- 
ceiving my  express,  which  was  placed  in  a  rubber  belt  un- 
derneath my  clothing. 


69 


I  had  traveled  for  several  days,  haviHg-  about  concluded 
that  my  fears  of  hostile  savages  were  groundless,  as  I  had 
not  been  molested  and  felt  a  certain  sense  of  relief  when  I 
thought  I  had  passed  the  dangerous  points.  Asa  precau- 
tion I  stopped  early  each  night  to  prepare  my  supper  in 
order  to  liave  my  fire  extinguished  before  dark,  as  it  could 
be  seen  at  a  great  distance  and  might  lead  to  my  discov- 
ery. On  the  afternoon  of  the  eighth  day  I  camped  early 
as  usual,  and  after  cooking  ray  supper  put  out  my  fire  and 
was  resting,  as  I  thought  quite  secure,  when  an  alarm 
which  all  frontiersmen  understand,  made  me  spring  to  my 
feet  in  an  instant.  To  one  not  accustomed  to  these  indica- 
tions it  would  not  have  been  particularly  significant — noth- 
ing but  the  low  whinney  of  one  of  the  horses,  which 
meant  the  close  proximity  of  other  horses.  Whether  the 
rider  was  friend  or  foe  I  could  not  tell,  and  consequently 
knew  that  I  must  not  remain  to  see  who  might  approach, 
as  then  it  might  be  too  late  to  retreat.  I  did  not  have 
time  to  take  my  horses,  but  liurriedly  grasped  my  gun  and 
blanket  and  began  to  look  about  for  a  hiding  place.  For- 
tunately I  found  a  large  cottonwood  tree  which  had  blown 
down,  breaking  off  about  fifteen  feet  above  the  ground, 
the  trunk  still  resting  on  the  stump.  I  walked  up  the 
body  of  the  tree  and  to  my  delight  I  found  it  hollow. 
Slipping  down  into  the  opening,  I  remained  quiet  to  see 


!  ! 


m 


70 


li! 


II 


:'M 


what  the  developments  would  be.  I  had  but  just  got  safely 
out  of  sight  when  a  party  of  Indians  rode  up  to  the  spot 
where  the  fire  had  been,  and  dismounting  began  to  plun- 
der my  pack.  I  knew  it  would  be  worse  than  useless  to 
attempt  to  save  its  contents,  and  all  I  could  do  was  to 
watch  them  througli  an  opening  in  the  tree.  Although  so 
near  them  I  felt  comparatively  safe,  ap  I  could  watch  ev- 
ery movement  made  by  them  and  had  *he  advantage  of 
not  being  seen,  as  some  of  the  boughs  still  retaining  their 
leaves  and  drooping  in  such  a  manner  as  to  partly  cover 
the  opening  hid  me  from  their  quick  eyes,  and  I  would 
sometimes  emerge  almost  to  the  edge  of  the  broken  part 
in  order  to  get  a  better  view  of  their  plan  of  operations. 
They  undoubtedly  thought  I  was  out  in  quest  of  game  for 
my  supper,  and  commenced  to  station  themselves  around 
in  sight  of  the  camp  awaiting  my  return. 

At  last  it  became  dark  and  the  Indians  came  into  camp 
and  seemed  to  be  holding  a  consultation.  Two  of  them 
built  a  fire  against  the  very  tree  in  which  I  was  secreted  ; 
the  others  went  away  I  suppose  to  watch  for  ray  return. 
They  seemed  bent  on  giving  me  plenty  of  time  to  make  my 
appearance.  My  quarters  were  very  uncomfortable,  as  I 
had  to  remain  in  a  cramped  position,  fastening  my  gun  se- 
curely and  being  obliged  to  get  a  position  nearly  crosswise 
of  the  tree,  not  daring  to  slide  down  lengthwifte  for  fear 


of  not  being  able  to  get  out  again  ;  but  feeling  that  I  bad 
the  choice  of  my  present  position  or  the  more  perilous 
one  of  exposing  myself  to  the  foe,  and  accepted  the  for- 
mer with  the  best  grace  I  could  summon. 

It  seemed  their  tireless  persistence  would  never  end,  as 
they  remained  until  the  third  day  seeming  to  think  that 
I  would  become  worn  out  and  be  forced  to  appear  upon 
the  scene.  The  fire  had  by  this  time  burned  through  to 
the  hollow  part  of  the  tree  close  to  the  ground,  and  the 
stump  served  as  n  flue,  giving  me  the  benefit  of  the  smoke 
and  heat.  At  times  it  was  almost  sulBfocating ;  again  and 
again  I  came  to  the  opening  for  air,  but  was  in  danger  of 
being  seen,  as  the  smoke  had  become  so  bad  that  I 
was  obliged  to  put  my  head  well  out  to  get  any  relief.  The 
tire  and  smoke  grew  worse  and  worse,  and  in  very  despe- 
ration I  had  about  concluded  that  I  should  be  obliged  to 
come  out  even  against  such  fearful  odds. 

While  I  was  halting  between  two  opinions,  they  came 
into  camp  with  their  horses  and  both  of  mine  and  com- 
menced packing,  up  preparatory  to  starting  on  their  jour- 
ney. My  joy  on  seeing  this  was  so  great  that  the  sm' '  e 
and  heat  ceased  to  trouble  me.  They  were  gone  in  a  shoi 
time  and  as  soon  as  the  sound  of  their  horse's  hoofs  died 
away  in  the  distance  I  emerged  from  my  hiding  place, 
scarcely  able  to  stand  and  weak  from  lack  of  food  and 


m 


iTJA' 


1  ll/i'' 


ijiif 


72 

water.  My  limbs  were  so  stiffened  that  walking  was  dif- 
ficult, but  by  continued  chafing  I  finally  succeeded  in 
creeping  slowly  away;  my  anxiety  now  being  to  get  as  far 
from  the  camp  as  possible,  and  that  at  once,  for  fear  of 
some  straggling  Indian  coming  along,  as  I  felt  poorly  pre- 
pared to  encounter  one  in  my  present  reduced  condition. 
I  went  to  a  small  stream  and  quenched  my  thirst,  not 
drinking  as  much  water  as  [  wanted,  but  feeling  much  re- 
freshed. 

Although  I  had  saved  my  gun  I  could  not  use  it  to  kill 
any  game  for  fear  of  the  report  being  heard  and  almost 
sure  capture.  I  found  that  I  was  growing  weaker  and 
must  have  some  food,  as  soon  as  I  was  far  enough  away  to 
be  Out  of  hearing  1  would  shoot  some  game. 

I  was  now  four  hundred  miles  from  my  destination  and 
as  1  had  been  detained  I  must  make  all  possible  speed, 
and  that  on  foot,  in  order  to  reach  there  before  the  inspec- 
tor and  save  the  company  serious  trouble.  I  followed  the 
Missouri  river  up  to  a  place  known  as  the  pass,  where 
there  are  two  bluffs,  one  on  either  side  of  the  stream, 
reaching  to  a  great  heighth  and  so  close  to  the  river  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  pass.  Here  I  discovered  a  herd  of 
antelope  and  detent ined  to  kill  one.  I  had  with  me  a 
piece  of  red  flannel  that  the  hunter  uses  to  attract  the  an- 
imal within  gunshot.  The  following  method  has  been  found 


to  be  successful :  One  corner  of  the  cloth  is  fastened  be- 
tween the  ramrod  and  the  barrel  of  the  gun,  the  hunter 
waving  it  and  remaining  out  of  sight,  keeping  the  ani- 
mal to  the  windward.  As  soon  as  the  antelope  see  it  they 
increase  their  speed  until  within  a  stone's  throw,  and  they 
can  easily  be  shot.  I  brought  one  down,  and  cutting  out 
the  liver  I  ate  a  portion  of  it  raw,  then  took  as  much  of 
the  meat  as  I  could  carry. 

I  found  that  I  needed  rest  as  well  as  food,  and  reaching 
a  secluded  spot  alternately  8lei)t  and  ate.  Tlie  meat  was 
not  very  palatable,  being  uncooked  and  without  either  salt 
or  pepper,  but  I  was  gaining  strength  and  was  soon  able 
to  resume  my  journey. 

Being  familiar  with  the  country  T  took  the  shortest 
route,  following  the  mountains,  and  having  no  farther 
trouble  until  I  reached  the  river  just  across  from  the  fort. 
I  tried  to  attract  the  attention  of  some  one  by  hallooing 
but  did  not  succeed,  as  no  one  seemed  to  be  in  sight  or 
hearing,  and  while  standing  on  the  shore  looking  across, 
hoping  some  one  would  hear  me,  I  finally  fired  my  gun, 
and  shortly  after  I  saw  a  peculiar  reflection  on  the  water 
which  I  could  not  understand,  coming  and  going  at  short 
intervals.  I  looked  up  the  mountain  and  found  thai  some 
Indians  were  holding  a  small  looking-glass  in  such  a  posi- 
tion as  to  throw  the  rays  of  the  sun  on  the  water.     They 


ii!  ■ 


iii ' 


IP 


m 


I'll 


!::i|!    •. 


74 

had  also  discovered  me  and  were  coming  toward  me.  I 
could  not  wait  for  help  from  the  fort,  and  ridding  myself 
of  clothing,  and  with  my  gun  strapped  to  my  back  I  plunged 
into  the  river  and  began  to  swim  for  a  sandbar  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  stream.  By  the  time  I  had  reached  it  they  were 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  and  commenced  firing  at  me,  but 
their  guns  were  poor  and  could  not  reach  my  position. 
They  then  attempted  to  shoot  me  with  arrows,  and  by  ele- 
vating them  pretty  well  they  made  it  exceedingly  uncom- 
fortable for  me.  I  feared  to  attempt  to  swim  across  to  the 
fort,  the  distance  being  so  great  that  I  was  confident  I 
could  not  reach  it  vith  so  heavy  a  gun,  it  being  of  the 
Hawkins  make  and  weighing  thirty-five  pounds.  I  was 
forced  to  dive,  in  order  to  escape  the  arrows,  but  I  was 
seen  from  the  fort  and  a  skiff  sent  to  my  rescue,  and  I  was 
soon  under  the  protection  of  the  soldiers. 

I  felt  that  my  experience  on  this  trip  had  been  hard,  but 
had  I  known  what  my  future  would  be  I  might  have  laugh 
ed  at  this. 


IS^ 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Down  the  Missouri  in  a  Canoe — Indians  Along  the  River 
— Escape  Under  Cover  of  Darkjiess. 

The  information  came  none  to  soon  in  regard  to  the  visit 
of  the  inspector,  but  in  time  to  have  the  alcohol  buried  or 
otherwise  secreted  about  the  fort.  I  was  well  satisfied  to 
rest  after  my  somewhat  perilous  experience,  remaining 
two  weeks,  during  which  time  I  made  a  bark  canoe,  as  I 
wished  to  make  mj  return  trip  by  river.  It  was  very 
light,  so  that  I  could  carry  it  on  my  shoulder  when  I  stop- 
ped to  rest  for  the  night  and  convey  it  to  the  woods  and 
hide  it  until  needed  the  next  morning. 

Not  being  in  any  haste  to  return  I  leisurely  floated  with 
the  current,  finding  it  very  much  easier  than  walking. 
When  seated  in  my  little  bark,  about  two  inches  of  it  re- 
mained above  the  water. 

After  thr>„o  days  travel  I  reached  the  pass  spoken  of 
before,  and  as  it  was  getting  late  I  decided  to  stop  for  the 
night.  An  island  lying  midway  between  the  bluffs  seem- 
ing to  offer  me  a  secure  refuge  from  harm,  drawing  my 
canoe  to  the  shore,  I  secreted  it  beneath  a  clump  of  wil- 
lows, and  after  supper  I  was  congratulating  myself  on  sa 
safe  a  retreat. 


,;  ■ 


I 


fe 


i 

r 

I. 

t.f: 


I 


' 


■f 


'    ,1 


^ 


I  .1 ' 


iiiii 


(I      . 
J"  ''■ 


76 

About  sundown  I  looked  from  my  leafy  covert  through 
my  glass,  and  ray  blood  fairly  curdled  an  I  saw  a  band  of 
Indians  coraing  directly  to  the  bluflf  above  me,  and  evi- 
bently  thej-  were  going  to  camp.  I  was  not  in  the  least 
pleased  with  ray  new  neighbors,  and  thought  I  would  not 
de  the  first  to  make  advances — certainly  I  should  not  cul- 
tivate their  acquaintance  unless  forced  to  do  so.  I  hoped 
in  the  cover  of  the  darkness  to  be  able  to  escape  from  my 
hiding  place,  waiting  until  the  setting  of  the  sun  and  trust- 
ing that  clouds  would  envelop  the  moon  to  better  enable 
rae  to  carry  out  ray  plans. 

But  Luna  arose  without  a  cloud  to  obscure  her  loveli- 
ness, it  being  alraost  as  light  as  day.  I  saw  no  hope  of 
escape,  and  waited,  not  being  able  to  sleep,  as  vigilance 
was  ray  watchword.  Never  was  there  a  raore  anxious 
watcher  than  I,  as  I  Sat  trying  to  imagine  that  the  moon 
was  shining  less  brilliantly,  but  it  was  simply  a  stretch  of 
iraagination,  for  river,  bluff  and  sky  was  one  flood  of  sil- 
very light.  ■ 

Having  leisure  for  meditation  I  thought  of  the  past  and 
how  I  had  deviated  from  the  precepts  which  my  parents 
had  taught  me,  and  resolved  if  I  ever  got  back  to  the 
fort  and  to  civilization  I  would  trust  my  raother's  God  and 
pray  daily  to  him  that  my  life  might  become  worthy  of  em- 
xilation.     These  resolves,  made  under  softening  and  trying 


77 


circumstances,  time  will  show  how  well  I  remembered. 

Bousing  myself,  I  came  back  to  a  reali/^iug  sense  of  my 
surroundings  and  saw  a  shadow  of  a  cloud  no  bigger  than 
a  man's  hand,  which  gradually  grew  into  one  so  dense  that 
the  bluffs  and  trees  above  were  lost  to  my  vision. 

Creeping  to  the  water's  edge  I  noiselessly  dragged  my 
canoe  into  the  stream  and  in  a  moment  was  lying  flat  in 
the  bottom  of  it  paddling  with  my  hands.  The  current  be 
ing  quite  swift  I  drifted  out  of  hearing,  and  as  soon  as 
practicable  I  sat  erect  propelling  my  canoe  industriously, 
as  I  wished  to  get  as  far  down  the  river  as  possible  before 
daylight. 

By  the  time  the  sun  was  well  up  I  had  put  miles  be- 
tween my  point  of  embarkation  and  myself. 

One  accustomed  to  river  travel  can  proceed  with  toler- 
able security,  but  he  must  never  allow  himself  to  be  thrown 
off  his  guard.  Should  he  do  so  the  penalty  may  be  cap- 
ture, and  that  is  more  to  be  dreaded  than  all  else,  for 
should  the  captor  escape  with  his  life  the  tortures  which 
he  endures  are  almost  equal  to  death. 

An  old  frontiersman  becomes  a  shrewd  observer,  and 
can  tell  almost  to  a  certainty  when  danger  from  the  savage 
is  impending.  The  peculiar  conduct  of  the  horses  and  the 
skulking  of  the  game  is  indicative  of  the  near  approach  of 
the  redman. 


;'K 


l^t: 


I 


:..u 


78 

I  have  at  different  times  been  well  convinced  that  the 
enemy  was  coming  when  perhaps  I  had  not  seen  an  Indian 
for  a  month,  basing  my  conclusions  on  some  of  these 
signs. 

I  proceeded  very  cautiously  down  the  Missouri,  only 
killing  game  when  hunger  demanded  it  for  food.  I  finally 
arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone  river  and  rowed 
up  to  the  fort,  which  I  reached  after  an  absence  of  sev- 
enty days.  Into  this  time  so  much  had  been  crowded 
that  I  felt  I  had  lived  double  that  period,  and  was  in  no 
manner  loth  to  be  once  more  where  I  could  lie  down  at 
night  and  sleep  without  fear  of  being  surprised  by  the 
treacherous  redskins. 


79 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Early  History  of  Fur  Traders — Issuing  Licenses — Forti- 
fications on  the  Rivers — Eetablisliment  of  American 
Fur  Company — Annual  Meetings  at  Ft.  William. 

An  extract  from  one  of  Washington  Irving's  beautifullj 
written  works,  and  which  treats  directly  upon  the  subject 
under  consideration,  will  greatly  add  to  the  interest  of 
this  volume. 

In  his  visits  to  Canada  he  became  intimately  acquainted 
with  some  of  the  interested  parties  in  the  Northwest  Fur 
Company,  and  was  frequently  invited  to  dine  with  them  at 
their  palatial  and  hospitable  homes  in  Montreal,  of  which 
he  says : 

"At  their  friendly  boards  I  occasionally  met  with  part- 
ners and  clerks  and  hardly  fur  traders  from  the  interior 
posts — men  who  had  passed  years  remote  from. civilized 
society  among  distant  and  savage  tribes,  and  who  had 
wonders  to  account  of  their  wide  and  wild  i)eregrinations, 
their  hunting  exploits,  and  their  perilous  adventures  and 
hair-breadth  escapes  among  the  Indians. 

I  was  at  an  age  when  imagination  lends  its  cororing  to 
everything,  and  the  stories  of  these  Sinbads  of  the  wil- 
derness made  the  life  of  a  trapper  and  fur  trader  perfect 


':      H 


!  '  I 


'i'\ 


I   ^  i  !,i 


I    ;: 


i 


n 


80 


romance  to  me.  I  even  mediteted  at  one  time  a  visit  to 
the  remote  posts  of  the  company  in  tlie  bouts  wliich  annu- 
ally ascend  the  lakes  and  rivers,  benig-  thereto  invited  by 
one  of  the  partners;  and  T  have  ever  since  regretted  that 
I  was  i)revented  by  circumstances  from  carrying  my  in- 
tention into  effect.  From  those  early  impressions  the 
g  and  enterprises  of  the  great  fur  companies,  and  the  haz- 
ardous errantry  of  these  associates  in  the  wild  parts  of 
our  vast  continent,  have  always  been  themes  of  charmed 
interest  to  me;  and  I  have  felt  anxious  to  get  at  the  de- 
tails of  their  adventurous  expeditions  among  the  savage 
tribes  that  peopled  the  depths  of  the  wilderness." 

The  fur  trade  among  the  French  traders  commenced  at 
an  early  time,  and  as  they  found  the  peltries  to  be  valu- 
able and  the  Indians  knowing  but  litiic  of  their  real  worth, 
traded  them  to  the  Frenchmen  for  trifling  and  often  use- 
less ornaments,  and  other  articles  of  little  cost  and  of  no 
practical^se.  Those  who  purchased  furs  from  the  Indians 
at  an  early  date  realized  large  profits,  sometimes  being  as 
great  as  two  hundred  per  cent. 

As  the  fur-bearing  animals  became  scarce  the  Indians 
went  out  into  the  more  remote  parts  of  the  country  where 
they  were  found  more  plentiful,  and  often  after  several 
months'  absence  would  come  up  the  St.  Lawrence  with 
their  canoes  well  laden  with  rich  furs,  land  at  Montreal  and 


SI 


unload  their  burdens  ;  with  true  Indian  relish  kindle  their 
fires  and  invite  certain  dignitaries  to  be  present,  smoke 
their  pipes,  interchange  gifts,  make  speeches,  and  with 
due  form  proceed  to  trade  their  furs,  taking  in  exchange 
bright-hued  cloths,  cooking  utensils,  tircarnis  and  orna- 
ments, with  which  to  decorate  themselves. 

After  a  time  the  trade  drifted  into  the  hands  of  a  roving 
set  of  men  who  had  previously  accompanied  the  Indians 
on  their  hunts  along  the  l^kes  and  rivers.  These  men 
often  going  among  the  tribes  on  the  margin  of  the  streams 
which  they  traversed,  and  entering  into  friendly  relations 
with  them,  not  unfrequently  choosing  a  wife  from  the 
tribe ;  the  influence  which  these  men  exerted  upon  the  In- 
dians was  far  from  good,  and  many  debasing  practices 
were  introduced  among  them,  greatly  interfering  with  the 
good  results  which  might  have  come  from  the  efforts  of 
the  missionaries  then  laboring  among  them;  and  later 
trading  posts  were  established  in  these  Indian  villages  in 
close  proximity  to  the  chapel  of  these  Catholic  teachers, 
the  churches  being  reared  with  a  view  to  counteract  the 
evil  influences  of  the  fur  traders.  Finally  the  French 
government  prohibited  all  adventurers  from  trading  in 
the  interior,  unless  so  empowered  by  licenses  from  the 
government,  the  penalty  for  its  violation  being  death. 
For  a  time  this  protected  the  simple  red  man  from  the  en- 


'  ;* 


.  'i 


I  . 


'  t) 


u\ 


\l 


lili 

4  l! 


m 


III  11 


'  ■  t 

Hi   :, 

Ir 
.1, 

i' 

'li  ^ 

■1' 

82 

croachments  oi  the  intruders,  as  to  none  but  those  of 
good  moral  character  were  permits  issued,  but  gradually 
this  law  was  abused,  and  low  and  unprincipled  men  were 
employed  by  those  who  either  could  not,  or  would  not 
go  out  upon  these  expeditions,  gave  licenses  to 
their  employee,  and  it  became  necessary  to  establish 
posts  protected  by  fortifications  at  the  mouth  of  the 
rivers  which  conveyed  the  voyagers  to  the  fur  regions  in 
order  that  the  trade  might  not  receive  permanent  in- 
jury. 

The  French  merchant  at  that  time  was  a  sort  of  Prince. 

His  employes  being  upon  easy  terms  with  him,  he  lived  a 
free  unrestrai.ied  life  of  self  indulgence,  surrounded  by 
his  bevy  of  Indian  wives  and  half  breed  children. 

In  1702  the  French  reign  ceased  in  Canada,  and  the 
Briiish  took  possession  of  the  trade  ;  but  the  radical 
change  from  the  lax  free  manner  of  the  French  to  that  of 
the  rigid,  stern  British  had  a  tendency  to  'increase  the 
trade,  and  for  four  years  this  condition  of  matters  remain 
ed  when  individuals  began  to  fit  out  expeditions  for  them- 
selves; as  a  consequent  result  jealous  rivalries  arose,  and 
hot  and  loud  altercations  ensued,  augmented  by  the  bloody 
encounters  among  the  Indians,  caused  by  the  use  of  in- 
toxicating liquors  given  or  traded  to  them  by  the  whites. 

Seeing  that  a  new  order  of  tbings  must  be  established 


mma 


83 

by  which  to  derive  any  practical  good  from  the  traflBc, 
several  merchants  of  Montreal  formed  a  partnership 
known  as  the  Northwest  Company.  After  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  association,  any  one  wishing  to  become 
a  partner  must  serve  an  .'pprenticeship  of  seven  years, 
during  that  time,  first  acting  as  clerk,  then  gradually  pass- 
ing up  until  tlie  expiration  of  the  time  assigned,  he  was 
pronounced  eligible  to  a  partnership  in  the  company,  but 
often  even  then  it  might  be  several  years  before  attaining 
the  object  of  his  ambition. 

During  these  years  of  serving — which  seemed  to  be  a 
prevailing  Englisli  custom  — the  young  applicant  remain- 
ed at  the  outposts  remote  from  so(;iety — excepting  those 
of  the  trappers  and  agents — and  lived  a  life  as  wild  almost 
as  that  of  the  Indians,  endurhig  great  hardships  of  hun<;er 
and  coid.  jftcntimes  without  proper  food  and  ahnost  en- 
tirely deprived  of  flour  and  salt,  but  the  privations  inured 
him  10  tlie  life  which  the  future  would  bring,  and  to  wliicli 
he  aspired. 

The  principal  partners  had  elegant  homey  in  Montreal 
and  Quebec,  and  formed  a  kind  of  aristocratic  ring,  living 
in  a  kingly  and  e:^travagant  manner.  Occasionally  these 
rich  men  would  visit  New  York  City  on  a  pleasure  trip, 
also  to  gratify  their  curiosity  and  lavishly  expend  money 
in  the  purchase  of  expensive  jewels — watches,  &c.,  as  well 


ill 


![:!' 


;   ■  J 


\     i 


Pi  !ii  H 

i.'i  :; 

|ili 


as  other  articles  of  fancy.  Appearing  upon  the  streets^ 
and  iu  the  shops  in  such  pomp,  and  with  such  evident 
disregard  of  the  expenditure  of  money,  made  them  objects 
of  curiosity  to  the  obsequeous  clerks  who,  like  aVi  the 
rest  of  mankind  were  made  to  feel  the  power  of  gold. 
But,  to  more  fully  understand  this  pompous  display  of 
wealth,  again  we  will  draw  from  the  pen  of  the  best  de- 
scriptive writer  America  has  known,  his  power  of  person- 
ation is  so  vivid  that  the  following  copy  cannot  fail  to  por- 
tray to  the  reader  almost  the  actual  sights  which  he  here 
describes : 

"To  behold  the  Northwest  Company  in  all  its  state  and 
grandeur,  however,  it  was  necessary  to  witness  an  annual 
gathering-  at  the  great  interior  place  of  conference,  estab- 
lished at  Fort  William,  the  scene  of  this  important  iimnal 
meeting  was  a  considerable  village  on  the  banks  of  Lake 
Superior.  Here,  in  an  immense  wooden  building  was  the 
great  council  hall,  as  also  the  banqueting  chamber,  decor- 
ated with  Indian  arms  and  accoutrements  and  the  trophies 
of  the  fur  trade.  The  house  swarmed  at  this  time  with 
traders  and  voyagers,  some  from  Montreal,  bound  to  the 
interior  posts;  some  from  the  interior  posts,  bound  to 
Montreal.  The  councils  were  held  in  great  state,  for 
every  member  felt  as  if  sitting  in  parliament,  and  every 
retainer  and  dependent  looked  up  to  the  assemblage  with 


iii 


85 

awe.  as  to  the  House  of  Lords.  There  was  a  vast  deal  of 
solemn  deliberation  and  hard  Scotish  reasoning,  with  an 
occasional  swell  of  pompous  declamation. 

These  grave  and  weighty  councils  were  alternated  li>' 
huge  feasts  and  revels,  like  some  of  the  old  feasts  describ- 
ed in  Highland  castles.  The  tables  in  the  irreat  banquet- 
ing room  groaned  under  the  weight  of  game  of  all  kinds  ; 
of  venison  from  the  woods,  and  fish  from  the  lakes,  with 
hunters'  delicacies,  8i;ch  as  buffalo  tongues  and  beaver 
tails,  and  various  luxuries  from  Montreal,  all  served  up 
by  experienced  cooks  brought  for  the  purpose.  There 
was  no  stint  of  genecous  wine^  for  it  tvas  a  hard  drinking 
period,  a  time  of  loyal  toasts,  and  bacchanalian  songs  and 
brimming  bumpers. 

Whi>e  the  chiefs  thus  revelled  in  hall,  and  made  the  raft- 
ers resound  with  bursts  of  loyalty  and  old  Scottish  songs, 
chanted,  in  voices  cracked  and  sharpened  by  the  nortlie"n 
blast,  their  merriment  was  echoed  and  prolonged  by  a 
mongrel  legion  of  retainers,  Canadian  voyageurs,  half- 
breeds,  Indian  hunters  and  vagabond  hangers-on,  who 
feasted  sumptuously  without  on  the  crumbs  that  fell  from 
their  table,  and  made  the  welkin  ring  with  old  French  dit- 
ties, mingled  with  Indian  yelps  and  yelling." 

John  Jacob  Astor,  born  near  Heidelberg  on  the  Rhine, 
became  a  man  of  comparative  wealth  before  the  establish- 


I  , 


86 


i!fi 


merit  of  the  American  Fur  Company,  having  commenced 
in  a  modest  way  by  dealing  in  furs,  increased  his  trade  by 
degrees  and  found  himself  at  length  a  wealthy  man.  This 
company  dates  its  organization  as  far  back  as  1811  Mr. 
Astor  not  only  wished  to  enrich  l)iiriself,  but  was  ambi- 
tious to  people  the  country  west  ot  the  Rocky  mountains 
with  an  intelligent  and  energetic  class  of  men,  and  con- 
nect the  commerce  of  the  Atlantic  with  that  of  the  Pa- 
cific. His  high  standing  as  a  man  of  integrity  and  his 
promiuence  as  a  commercial  man  had  placed  him  high  in 
the  estimation  of  the  people,  and  he  asked  that  the  Gov- 
ernment sanction  and  protect  a  company,  by  which  means 
they  might  further  the  interests  of  the  trade  across  the 
continent  and  make  the  transfer  of  peltries  more  easy  of 
conveyance  to  the  Chinese  Empire.  He  accordingly  laid 
his  plans  before  Thomas  Jefferson,  then  the  Chief  Execu- 
tive of  the  United  States.  His  proposition  met  with  the 
hearty  approval  of  the  President  and  his  cabinet.  And 
subsequently  this  man  of  pluck  and  energy  established 
his  trading  post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  so 
called  as  the  first  vessel  entering  its  waters  bore  that 
name.  Here  the  tov.  q  of  Astoria  now  stands  as  a  monu- 
ment of  the  unfailing  push  and  industry  of  one  of  the 
greatest  men  known  in  the  commercial  world. 

This  somewhat  lengthy  account  of  the  Great  Fur  Trad- 


^  4T,^iii»V%/,JW,W*i-*i.4**;)t-»f%Kh'*«>WW*»«>*i-«* 


87 

iug  Company  is  perhaps  admissible,  as  Captain  Rocky  was 
in  their  employ  for  a  series  of  years,  enjoying  its  pleas- 
ures, suffering  its  hardships,  and  bearing  upon  his  body 
the  scars  left  from  the  ravages  of  scurvy  which  followed 
the  use  of  improper  food  and  lact  of  vegetables. 


11;  S 

I     H 

1  ^r 


^f 


•hi 


mi 


jd'^SiLJtsiidli.a'. 


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88 


CHAPTER  VIIT. 

Trapping  ou  the  Coliimbi:i  Fiver — Camp  Life — Tiie   Eve- 
ning Meal — Novel  Canoes. 

I  remained  at  the  fort  but  a  short  time  as  a  party  of 
thirty-two  was  organized  to  go  up  on  the  Milk  river,  a 
branch  of  the  Upper  Missouri,  situated  in  the  northern 
part  of  what  is  now  known  as  Montana  Territory.  As  the 
most  of  us  were  experienced  trappers,  as  a  matter  of  ex- 
pediency we  decided  not  to  remain  longer  in  the  employ 
of  the  fur  company,  but  to  go  out  for  ourselves,  feeling 
confident  that  at  the  close  of  the  trapping  season  our  pe- 
cuniary condition  would  be  bettered.  Before  many  days 
had  elapsed  we  were  well  equipped  for  our  work  and 
buoyant  with  hoi)e. 

After  reaching  the  place  chosen  we  arranged  for  our 
camp,  making  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  possible.  We 
were  very  successful,  and  had  procured  a  large  quantity 
of  rich  furs,  and  by  spring  felt  well  repaid  for  our  winter's 
toil.  Our  first  attempt  had  proven  such  a  success  that  we 
were  arranging  the  subsequent  autumn,  to  go  up  to  the 
head  waters  of  the  Columbia  to  spend  the  winter  in  trap- 
ping. 


' 


/ 


89 

We  iiDw  numbered  over  forty  men,  and  by  common  con- 
sent I  bad  been  chosen  leader.  A  more  merrj^  lot  of  men 
it  would  be  difticult  to  find,  with  the  prospect  of  rich  re- 
muneration for  our  efforts,  and  in  all  the  glow  of  young 
manhood  upon  us,  breathing  the  pure,  cold  and  bracing- 
air  of  a  northern  climate,  and  our  hearts  attuned  to  the  in- 
audible music  all  about  us,  we  were  altogether  a  happy, 
reckless  crowd. 

Nowhere  in  tl  e  milder  latitudes  do  the  inhabitants  en- 
joy half  so  much  of  exuberant  i)lea8ure  as  in  the  cold  cli- 
mates where  the  rich,  warm  blood  permeates  the  entire 
physical  make-up  and  whitens  the  complexion,  puts  roses 
in  the  cheeks,  carmine  on  the  lip  and  brilliancy  in  the  eye. 

Almost  the  entire  company  consisted  of  native  Cana- 
dians, with  a  few  exceptions,  as  prominent  among  them 
was  a  typical  Vermonter  whose  long,  lank  person  loomed 
awkwardly  up  with  an  air  of  disjointedness  and  a  certain 
shambling  gait  accompanying  it,  giving  to  its  possessor  an 
exceedingly  uncouth  appearance,  yet  withal,  a  shrewd  ex- 
pression which  seemed  to  sit  upon  the  face  as  a  sort  of  an 
apology  for  the  rest  of  his  shortcomings.  Evidently  our 
friend  from  the  Green  Mountains  is  a  favorite  among  his 
comrades,  as  his  trite  sayings  are  greeted  with  laughter 
and  his  sound  judgment  deferred  to  in  matters  of  grave 
moment,  when  some  of  the  jesting,  fun-loving  fellows  can 


'  >', 


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90 


:>  m 


be  made  to  listen  long  enough  to  hear  his  conclusive  but 
droll  arguments  which  never  fail  to  convince  and  at  the 
same  time  are  invested  with  added  interest,  as  he  has  that 
pleasant  faculty  of  presenting  an  amusing  and  funny  side 
to  nearly  every  subject  under  consideration,  and  the  com- 
pany unanimously  declare  if  Jonathan  Sims  did  nothing  in 
the  way  of  adding  pecuniary  value  to  the  organization,  his 
genial  manner  would  insure  him  a  welcome  among  them. 
In  strong  contrast  to  the  last  named  character  is  the  lit- 
tle "Frenchman"  Batiste  Lozure,  small  of  stature,  effemi- 
nate in  appearance,  not  bringing  the  scales  up  to  a  hun- 
dred pounds;  of  an  impulsive,  highly  excitable  nature. 
His  rage  at  some  trivial  occurrence  would  have  seemed 
simply  terrible  in  a  man  had  his  stature  been  like  ''old  Go- 
liah  tall;"  but  from  him,  of  such  apparent  insignificance,  it 
afforded  amusement  for  the  entire  camp.  The  volubility 
with  which  he  poured  forth  invectives,  emphasized  with 
words  which  we  will  withhold,  as  they  are  not  for  ears  po- 
lite, was  simply  startling;  yet  one  cannot  help  admiring  the 
French  Canadian,  whose  relations  to  the  camp,  can,  if  not 
80  elegantly,  at  least  Lot  inappropriately  be  compared 
with  those  which  the  bantam  holds  to  the  balance  of  the 
feathered  bipeds  in  the  barnyard,  all  self-importance,  and 
yet  giving  a  sort  of  breezy  stir  and  excitement  to  every- 
thing within  range  of  his  circuit.    This  man  firmly  believ- 


91 

ed  in  my  ability  and  was  one  of  my  most  faithful  and  tried 
followers.  In  this  way  we  might  go  on  describing  first 
one  and  then  another  of  the  company  and  picture  a  min- 
iature world  in  the  hunter's  camp,  inhabited  by  men  very 
much  the  same  as  those  in  the  world  at  home,  circum- 
stances there  as  well  as  here  making  in  most  of  cases  the 
character  of  the  man. 

Arriving  at  the  designated  point  for  trapping  the  men 
under  my  direction  first  sought  out  a  suitable  location  for 
the  tents,  protected  by  undergrowth  and  heavier,  larger 
trees,  choosing  a  point  easily  accessible  to  a  stream  of 
water  as  a  matter  of  convenience  for  camp  purposes,  also 
to  the  more  successful  trapping  of  the  beaver.  At  length 
a  spot  was  found  which  met  these  requirements.  Then 
began  the  bustle  and  consequent  stir  and  confusion  of  re- 
lieving the  ponies  of  their  burdens,  which  were  not  self- 
imposed,  and  they  patiently  waited  with  headu  drooping, 
limbs  relaxed  and  eyes  closed,  seeming  to  understand  that 
they  were  soon  to  have  the  freedom  of  the  woods,  and 
lest  some  "laithless  Thomas"  may  right  here  inquire  how 
did  you  maintain  your  horses  where  feed  could  not  be 
procured  ?  to  dispel  all  doubts  will  say  the  long  grass 
standing  above  the  snow  served  to  supply  them  with  some 
of  their  food,  but  not  adequate  to  their  entire  demands;  the 
young  (Cottonwood  first  felled  and  piled  suflBciently  near 


m 


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I ; 


II 


92 

the  fire  to  ])artially  thaw  the  bark  served  ns  an  article  of 
diet,  which  tliey  ate  with  apparent  relish,  and  an  occa- 
sional dessert  from  the  tail  of  the  beaver,  which  when  dried 
they  will  eat. 

The  buffalo  robes  as  tent  covers  and  sundry  articles 
necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  men,  are  unloaded  from 
the  animal's  back,  these  going  to  make  up  our  simple  life 
as  adventurers. 

Paramount  over  all  the  rest  was  the  care  exercised  for 
the  powder,  as  upon  its  preservation  from  the  rain  and 
moisture  depended  even  the  life  of  the  entire  company; 
and  unless  due  care  was  exercised  it  was  liable  to  be  ex- 
posed unless  properly  cared  for,  and  as  hundreds  of  miles 
intervened  between  us  and  the  nearest  fort  it  behooved  us 
to  exercise  much  caution  to  preserve  it.  Oftentimes  quite 
large  quantities  would  be  taken  upon  starting  out  upon  a 
season's  hunt,  as  not  unfrequently  an  attack  from  the  In- 
dians necessitated  free  use  of  the  powder,  and  it  was  no  un- 
common occurrence  to  start  with  a  supply  of  from  seventy 
to  eighty  pounds.  The  powder  is  packed  for  conveyance 
after  this  manner :  A  piece  of  strong  tent  cloth  is  first 
firmly  sewed  into  a  sack  and  filled  with  the  powder;  this 
inserted  into  a  second,  made  from  the  tanned  hide  of  the 
buffalo,  which  is  also  made  in  the  same  way  as  the  first, 
again  protected  by  being  placed  in  a  third  sack  made  from 


1>3 

the  skin  covering  the  neck  of  the  buffalo  with  the  hair 
outside,  serving-  as  a  good  waterproof  from  the  rain,  and 
as  we  had  just  experienced  a  severe  storm  through  which 
we  had  traveled,  but  which  had  now  cleared  away,  leaving 
the  air  delightfully  pure  and  clear,  the  first  duty  of  liatiste, 
after  unpacking  the  powder,  was  to  examine  the  contents 
of  the  sacks,  which  he  did  with  dextrous, cat-like  rapidity, 
keepmg  up  all  the  time  a  brisk  run  of  talk,  half  French, 
half  English,  accompanied  with  numerous  ejaculations 
which  will  not  be  repeated  and  which  the  conventionali- 
ties of  society  would  not  recognize  as  the  most  tliorough- 
ly  refined,  and  savoring  very  strongly  of  the  profane. 
After  sundry  pulls  and  jerks  the  powder  was  pronounced 
in  perfect  condition. 

Now  began  the  digging  of  the  trenches  for  the  setting 
of  the  tents,  the  covering  consisting  of  the  almost  indis- 
pensible  buffalo  skin,  which,  turned  and  well  stretched 
makes  a  most  comfortable  protection  from  cold  and  rain. 
The  various  tents  now  having  been  pitched  other  arrange- 
ments were  soon  made  and  the  camp  presented  a  lively 
appearance,  with  its  horses  nibbling  hungrily  at  the  tender 
boughs  of  the  shrubs,  the  late  riders  busying  themselves 
in  cleaning  their  guns,  which  if  they  become  foul  are  use- 
less. Each  man's  saddle  is  kept  in  its  designated  place, 
that  at  a  moments  warning  he  can  throw  it  upon  the  back 


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of  his  pony;  his  trusty  firearms  at  his  side  when  he  sleeps 
in  order  that  he  may  grasp  his  gun  upon  an  alarm  being 
given,  which  consists  of  a  sharp  whistle  from  the  outside 
guard,  answered  by  the  inside  in  a  similar  manner.  When 
any  new  danger  threatens,  an  extra  guard  is  stationed  far- 
ther out. 

Again  the  buflFalo  skin  is  called  into  requisition,  this 
time  as  a  mattress  filled  with  the  downy  substance,  which 
when  stripped  from  the  catkin  makes  a  bed  equalling  that 
of  feathers.  If  the  reader  will  step  with  me  we  will  enter 
a  tent  where  the  evening  meal  is  being  prepared.  A  fire 
has  just  been  built  upon  the  ground,  in  the  center;  first 
kindled  with  grass,  which  is  ignited  by  the  medium  of  a 
flint,  and  wood  being  abundant  a  cheerful  blaze  is  soon 
followed  by  a  warm  glow  throughout  the  entire  de- 
partment, the  smoke  emerging  from  the  fire  at  the 
top  of  the  lodge.  An  upright  stick  is  driven  into  the 
ground  close  to  one  side  of  the  fire  of  sufticient  strength 
to  fasten  a  rod  in  a  horizontal  position,  projecting  far 
enough  to  hang  upon  the  end  a  kettle  filled  with  meat, 
from  which  delicious  and  suggestive  odors  of  "something 
the  palate  to  please"  issues,  and  roasting  near  the  fire 
upon  a  forked  stick  is  a  haunch  of  venison,  which  at  in- 
tervals is  turned  by  the  cook  as  it  assumes  a  tempting 
brown,  and  when  thoroughly  done  would  suit  the  taste  of 


95 


the  most  faHtidious  epicure,  for  all  its  rich  juice  is  retained. 
Cooking  upon  another  improvised  crane  is  a  kettle  of 
Sioux  root,  similar  in  growth  to  that  of  a  beet,  the  bulb 
growing  long  and  tapering  to  a  point,  white  in  color  and 
something  of  the  nature  of  the  Irish  potato.  A  quantity 
having  been  dug  and  the  roots  sliced  into  pieces  length- 
wise and  hung  up  to  dry  for  winter  use;  and  now  the  bill 
of  fare  is  before  us,  no  time  being  necessary  to  decide 
upon  what  you  will  order,  for  at  a  glance  you  will  observe 
that  a  choice  is  not  the  fashion  among  the  trappers,  but  as 
an  alternative  they  accept  with  thankfulness  what  can  be 
obtained;  flour  and  meal  being  out  of  the  question,  owing  to 
the  fact  of  its  bulkiness  and  the  great  distance  from  which 
it  must  be  carried. 

Seated  around  a  rude  table  the  men  partake — witharel- 
lish  unknown  to  the  pampered  appetites  of  the  highbred 
city  brother — of  the  meats  and  only  vegetable  obtainable, 
quaffing  Adam's  ale,  which  served  as  a  delightful  bever 
age.  Strange  to  say  among  all  the  members,  most  of  whom 
have  been  brought  up  in  the  Catholic  faith,  there  is  but 
one  at  the  table  who  observes  the  rites  of  the  church. 
The  lack  of  restraint  which  this  life  engenders  has  become 
manifest  in  the  lives  and  deportment  of  the  men.  Nels, 
before  mentioned,  faithfully  adhered  to  his  early  training, 
and  when  rallied  upon  the  subject  replied  that  the  promise 


I 


96 

given  his  moth  3r  to  religiously  remember  his  duty  to  his 
church  and  to  God  he  fully  intended  to  keep,  and  at  the 
mention  of  that  name  the  faces  of  many  of  the  men  would 
soften,  a  tear  glisten  in  the  eye,  but  only  for  a  moment, 
and  apj^arently  the  softening  influences  would  be  gone 
only  to  be  replaced  by  a  more  reckless  and  abandoned 
manner. 

Should  it  become  necessary  to  replenish  the  ammuni- 
tion, fifteen  or  twenty  men  are  detailed  to  go  to  the  fort 
and  proem e  it.  Each  man  provided  himself  with  a  canoe 
made  from  the  hide  of  the  buffalo,  a  hoop  or  split  sap- 
pling  being  fastened  around  the  top,  making  it  circular, 
slightly  drawn  in  where  the  hoop  is  inserted.  This  is  then 
packed  with  furs,  which  are  to  be  taken  to  the  fort  to  ex- 
change for  powder.  Each  canoe  similarly  loaded,  one  man 
being  the  only  occupant,  twenty  of  these  singular  looking 
qanoes  present  a  truly  novel  appearance,  the  boatman 
paddling  from  the  front,  as  oara  used  in  the  ordinary  way 
will  produce  a  spinning  motion  of  the  canoe.  After  arriv- 
ing at  the  fort,  should  it  be  found  that  the  price  of  the  furs 
are  in  excess  of  the  powder,  the  trappers  are  credited 
upon  the  books  for  the  balance  which  remains  until  such 
time  as  the  money  can  be  used  to  good  advantage. 

When  stopping  for  the  night  the  canoes  are  hung  in  the 
trees  in  order  that  the  muskrat  may  not  gnaw  them,  which 


97 


they  are  almost  sure  to  do  if  left  in  the  water.  Should  a 
rain  occur  the  canoe  is  converted  into  a  temporary  shelter 
for  the  furs. 

This  particular  region  was  chosen  as  it  was  in  a  locality 
which  had  been  much  avoided  by  hunters  on  account  of 
the  British  Indians,  who  were  exceedingly  hostile  and 
cruel,  the  result  was  the  beaver  and  otter  had  increased 
in  large  quantities,  and  while  it  was  unsafe,  game  was 
abundant,  and  the  temptation  was  so  great  that  we  made 
the  attempt. 

We  had  our  horses  guarded,  and  from  the  way  in  which 
they  gathered  in  squads  I  felt  quite  contident  Indians 
were  lurking  about,  and  told  my  men  my  fears  and  was 
about  to  put  more  guards  around  them,  but  they  com- 
plained to  such  an  extent  that  I  woiJd  no  longer  consent 
to  remain  as  Captain  and  resigned. 

The  enemy  were  not  slow  to  see  their  advantage  and 
as  soon  as  the  discipline  was  relaxed  they  made  good  use 
of  it.  I  warned  the  camp  that  if  extreme  care  was  not  ex- 
ercised that  we  would  be  surp.  *sed  and  captured. 

For  the  benefit  of  the  boys  who  may  read  this,  I  will  de- 
scribe the  way  in  which  the  traps  are  set,  they  are  placed 
in  the  water  and  baited  with  peppermint,  the  beaver  being- 
very  fond  of  the  herb,  finds  it  through  his  olfactories,  and 
reaches  for  it  with  bis  fore  feet  and  just  as  he  thinks  this 


il 


M ': 


n 


98 

tempting  morsel  is  his  the  trap  shuts  its  ugly  jaws  and 
the  poor  fellow  is  fast.  He  is  classed  among  the  rodents. 
His  cutting  teeth  are  remarkably  strong,  the  front  being 
of  a  bright  orange  color  and  hard,  the  back  of  the  tooth 
of  a  softer  substance  and  easily  worn  down,  present- 
ing at  its  edge  the  shape  of  the  chisel,  and  has  the  pe 
culiar  power  of  growth,  something  like  the  finger  nail;  a 
very  wise  provision  as  by  constant  use  it  wears  away. 

The  precaution  is  taken  to  set  the  trap  in  water  so  that 
he  will  drown  himself,  for  if  set  on  land  he  cuts  off  his 
foot  with  these  sharp  teeth  and  escapes. 

The  hind  feet  are  webbed  like  those  of  the  goose  which 
serve  the  purpose  of  paddles  when  swimming,  making  use 
of  these  alone,  the  front  feet  hanging  useless  and  close 
together. 


99 


II 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Capture — Arrival  at  Indian  Camp — Poma — Execution  of 
Captives — To  be  burned — Saved  for  further  council. 

Five  of  our  number  went  out  one  morning  to  examine 
the  traps  which  had  been  set  the  night  previous,  and 
found  that  we  had  secured  both  beaver  and  otter.  Find- 
ing an  unusually  large  beaver  in  one  of  the  traps  which  had 
been  set  under  a  projecting  bank,  I  jumped  from  my 
horse,  the  rest  following  me ;  as  we  were  congratulating 
ourselves  on  our  success  the  air  was  rent  with  the  un- 
earthly yells  of  Indians.  I  made  one  desperate  stroke  at 
the  nearest  one  with  the  hatchet  which  I  had  brought  to 
kill  the  beaver,  but  it  slipped  from  my  b^nd  and  fell  use- 
less into  the  water. 

A  percipitous  rush  was  next  made  for  our  horses,  but 
to  our  dismay  we  found  them  already  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  For  a  short  time  I  did  not  fully  comprehend  our 
situation  until  we  were  taken  into  the  presence  of  hun- 
dreds of  warriors.  I  then  began  to  realize  that  instant 
death  would  have  been  preferable  to  captivity  and  the 
slow  torture  that  is  sure  to  follow,  for  the  delight  of  the 
Indian  knows  no  bounds  when  his  victim  is  subjected  to 


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100  . 

prolonged  suffering.  In  the  few  moments  which  passed 
as  I  stood  amid  these  surroundings  I  thought  what  will 
be  our  fate,  will  we  be  roasted,  scalped,  or  brutally  hack- 
ed with  knives  or  beaten  with  clubs  until  death  comes  to 
our  relief?  But  little  time  was  given  as  to  conjecture  our 
future,  but  the  present  was  bad  enough ;  horses  were 
brought  to  us  and  we  were  placed  in  the  saddle,  our  hands 
being  tied,  our  bodies  bent  forward  in  order  to  reach  the 
saddle  horn.  The  thongs  which  held  us  were  cut  in  long 
narrow  strips  from  the  hide  of  the  buffalo  when  fresh  and 
tied  ttrmly  about  the  wrist.  Our  feet  were  secured  be- 
neath the  horse  with  the  same  kind  of  cords,  making  our 
positition  exceedingly  uncomfortable. 

We  started  in  a  northerly  direction,  whither  we  did  not 
know,  but  supposed  our  captors  to  be  from  one  of  the 
British  tribes,  which  fact  did  not  add  to  our  complacency,, 
should  they  prove  to  be  of  these,  which  we  conjectured 
they  were,  we  were  indeed  in  the  hands  of  merciless  foes. 

We  traveled  all  day  and  at  night  were  taken  from  our 
horses  and  tied  to  trees  until  morning;  the  change  of  po- 
sition for  a  time  being  something  of  a  relief,  but  the 
thongs  with  which  we  were  bound  had  shrunken  and  be- 
came imbedded  in  the  flesh,  making  it  very  painful.  The 
next  morning  we  were  again  secured  to  the  horses  in  the 
same  manner  as  at  first.    Finally,  on  1  he  evening  of  the  third 


101 


rday,  just  before  the  setting  of  the  sun  we  reached  the 
camp  as  near  dead  as  alive,  and  so  worn  and  exhaasted 
that  death  would  have  seemed  welcome. 

Those  who  had  remained  at  the  camp  during  the  ab- 
sence of  the  warriors,  now  gathered  around  to  see  what 
trophies  tbey  had  brought  as  evidence  of  their  bravery,  as 
on  such  occasions  the  brave  who  can  display  the  most 
scalps  or  who  brings  anything  as  proof  of  his  superior 
skill  can  thou  claim  a  new  name  indicative  of  his  advance- 
ment as  a  warrior,  the  title  being  considered  and  approv- 
ed by  the  tribe.  The  same  thirst  for  position  and  rank  is 
manifested  by  the  unlettered  savage  as  by  the  Caucasian. 

Among  those  who  crowded  around  looking  at  us  criti- 
cally was  a  young  Indian  girl  about  8ixte<^n  years  of  age, 
who  watched  me  curiously,  coming  close  to  me  and  re- 
treating a  few  steps  then  returning  again  and  finally  going 
to  the  chief — who  was  her  father — and  saying  something 
which  I  could  not  understand,  but  I  noticed  he  made  that 
peculiar  gutteral  noise  signifying  his  approval;  she  then 
came  to  me  and  commenced  untying  my  hands,  then  pro- 
ceeded to  unfasten  my  feet  and  signed  to  me  to  dismount 
which  I  did.  She  ne^t  led  me  into  a  lodge  and  gave  me 
the  simple  garments  of  the  Indian  which  I  donned,  my 
own  clothing  being  carried  away.  I  was  then  bound  se- 
-curely,  the  girl  never  leaving  me  for  one  moment.  I  could 

Pacific  N.  W.  History  Dept. 

PROVINCIAL  LIBRARY 
VICTORhA,  B.  C. 


•iTfi; 


m 


Hi. 

\3 


nr 


IH 


il 


:il 


102 

not  understand  why  she  should  seem  so  attentive.  My 
hair  which  had  been  allowed  to  grow  until  two  feet  i» 
length,  had  been  braided  when  I  was  captured  and  had 
now  become  loosened  and  hung  in  curls  about  my  shoul- 
ders, my  beard  and  mustache  were  very  long,  black  and 
curly,  the  latter  completely  obscuring  my  mouth.  I  sup-^ 
pose  I  was  altogether  different  from  anything  she  had 
ever  seen,  although  it  would  now  be  considered  almost 
barbarous  to  allow  the  beard  and  hair  to  grow  to  such  a 
length,  I  should  not  be  living  to  tell  my  simple  story  had 
it  not  been  that  she  so  admired  their  unusual  length  and 
luxuriance  that  she  had  pleaded  with  her  father  for  at  least 
some  degree  of  leniency  toward  me. 

She  still  continued  to  come  near  me  and  finally  ventur- 
ed to  lift  ray  hair,  coiling  it  about  her  swarthy  fingers  into 
long  ringlets,  seeming  pleased  as  she  would  laugh  as  they 
slipped  from  her  hand  onto  my  shoulder.  A  new  thought 
seemed  to  possess  her,  for  she  stood  a  moment  looking 
me  in  the  face,  and  suddenly  lifted  my  mustache,  peering 
curiously  beneath,  and  laughed  again  as  she  discovered 
my  mouth,  she  had  evidently  thought  me  as  much  of  a  liv- 
ing wonder  as  Barnum's  futile  brain  has  represented  some 
of  his  curiosities  to  be. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day  after  our  arrival  my 
unfortunate  friends  were  taken  away  from  the  camp,  and 


103 

were  never  seen  again.  Despair  now  seized  upon  me,  my 
comrades  were  gone,  I  pictured  to  myself  their  tortures, 
and  wished  I  had  been  one  of  the  number,  but  here  I  was 
left  among  blood-thirsty  savages  awaiting  my  fate,  praying 
that  I  might  die.  But  experience  has  taught  me  that  our 
plans  are  not  the  best,  but  "God's  plans  and  purposes  un- 
fold like  lilies  pure  and  white." 

My  suspense  came  to  an  end  on  the  fourth  day.  As  T 
was  taken  out  of  the  tent,  I  saw  a  horse  standing  at  the 
the  door,  with  two  poles  crossed,  and  fastened  to  the  horn 
of  the  saddle.  I  was  tied  to  the  ends  resting  on  the  ground 
and  dragged  to  the  place  of  execution  about  four  miles 
distant.  It  was  a  beautiful  spot,  adjacent  to  a  clear  little 
stream  which  washed  the  green  knol'  on  which  I  was  se- 
cured, and  under  different  circumstances  I  should  have 
enjoyed  the  sight. 

"Poma"  did  not  leave  me  from  the  time  we  started, 
walking  by  my  side,  and  when  I  was  loosened  from  my 
uncomfortable  position  and  tied  hand  and  foot,  she 
remained  with  me  stroking  my  hair  with  her  hand,  all  the 
time  accompanying  it  with  a  sort  of  pitiful  moan. 

The  warriors  commenced  their  war  dance,  and  after  they 
had  concluded  they  began  to  prepare  their  stake,  and  I 
saw  at  once  that  I  was  to  be  burned,  as  the  fire  had  al- 
ready been  kindled.    Afterwards  forming  in  a  circle  they 


11 


:|[ 


il:,s 


S),  •; 


104 


began  their  death  council.  I  watched  all  this  with  sink- 
ing heart  and  only  wished  they  would  hasten  my  death  as 
the  mental  suffering  was  even  as  great  as  J  thought  the 
agony  of  burning  would  be.  There  had  been  such  a  ten- 
sion of  my  nerves  for  seven  days  and  1  had  eaten  so  little 
that  I  was  completely  unfltted  for  the  trying  ordeal  ttarougli 
which  I  was  about  to  pass. 

While  this  council  was  going  on  the  little  Indian  girl 
left  my  side,  and  going  directly  in  front  of  her  father  knelt 
down  and  pointed  her  finger  at  him  and  began  to  talk  hur- 
riedly for  some  time.  The  old  chief  stopped  and  listened 
with  unmoved  countenance,  but  finally  his  head  dropped 
upon  his  bosom  and  he  seemed  in  some  way  disturbed. 
His  daughter  now  rising  and  looUing  upward  appeared  to 
be  imploring  the  Great  Spirit  to  intercede  witli  the  chief, 
as  she  alternately  looked  up  and  then  pointed  to  her  fa- 
ther. As  1  afterward  learned,  she  said:  "Father,  the 
Great  Spirit  is  angry.  He  will  be  avenged  if  you  burn 
this  pale  face.  You  could  look  up  and  see  Him  if  you 
were  as  pure  as  I  am,  and  could  see  Him  frown  on  you. 
He  will  send  His  curse  on  your  braves.  The  storm-clouds 
will  darken  to-morrow's  sun  and  the  Thunder  God  will 
come  and  you  will  die." 

The  chief  vouchsafed  no  reply,  but  turned  and  moved 
slowly  away,  followed  by  his  warriors,  leaving  Poma  and 


105 


myself  alone.  I  have  often  wished  that  I  could  produce 
on  canvass  the  novel  picture  which  we  must  have  pre- 
sented, the  wild,  young  girl  in  all  her  native  grace  stand- 
ing irresolute  and  shy,  while  my  face  must  have  been  ut- 
terly hopeless  in  its  expression,  if  my  thoughts  were  mir- 
rored thereon.  My  feet  had  become  so  painful  that  I  sank 
to  the  ground  and  groaned.  She  seemed  to  understand 
me,  as  she  went  to  the  stream,  and  tilliiii;  her  mouth  with 
water  softened  the  knots  and  lor  ened  them  with  her 
teeth.  I  motioned  that  my  hands'  hurt  mc  .  and  she  untied 
them  In  the  snnie  manner.  I  still  rei.Miined  bound  hand 
and  foot,  but  the  thongs  were  loose  enough  to  be  more 
comfortable. 

The  strange  conduct  of  the  warriors  surprised  me,  but  I 
thought  I  was  yet  to  be  tortured  by  a  slow  and  terrible 
•death  when  it  might  suit  their  fancy. 


iiiii 


106 


11 
111 


hi! 


i:l 


i'l 


CHAPTER  X. 

Suspense — Life  in  an  Indian  Lodge — Startling  Proposal — 

Plans  of  Escape. 

A  few  months  after  I  ascertained  why  the  words  of  Po- 
ma  seemed  to  be  so  magical.  On  previous  occasions,  when 
the  braves  had  been  ready  to  start  either  to  war  or  on  a 
hunt,  she  had  warned  them  when  evil  was  to  be  the  result, 
and  encouraged  them  when  the  opposite,  and  her  predic- 
tions having  proven  correct  in  every  instance,  their  super- 
stition had  led  them  to  believe  that  she  was  endowed  with 
the  gift  of  sorcery,  and  they  were  afraid  to  disregard  her 
counsel,  and  had  come  to  look  upon  her  as  a  superior 
being. 

I  hardly  knew  whether  to  be  rejoiced  or  other  Jirise  at 
being  released  for  tlie  present,  as  that  terrible  feeling  of 
suspense  took  hold  of  me  again,  and  I  felt  that  to  know  the 
worst  was  even  better  than  this  awful  uncertainty.  She 
allowed  me  to  rest  for  some  time,  coming  to  me  and  lift- 
ing my  head  from  the  ground  where  I  had  sunk  from  ex- 
haustion and  took  it  tenderly  in  her  lap.  She  arranged 
the  cords  with  which  my  feet  were  tied,  so  that  I  was  en- 
abled to  walk,  but  could  not  run.    She  started  toward  the 


^  •       lor 

camp,  motioning  me  to  foilow.    After  arriving  I  was  taken 
to  the  lodge  •£  Poma  and  again  tied.   I  seemed  to  be  given- 
entirely  into  her  keeping  for  the  braves  did  not  notice  me 
farther  than  to  grunt  at  me  significantly,  as  much  as  to  say, 
I  would  like  to  see  you  roasted. 

The  young  girl  prepared  some  broth  which  I  would  not 
drink,  as  I  did  not  care  to  live,  and  I  was  already  so  weak 
that  I  thought  it  would  not  take  long  to  starve,  and  that 
would  be  better  than  death  at  their  hands,  or  worse,  to  re- 
main a  captive. 

Her  countenance  expressed  real  distress  when  I  refused 
to  take  the  soup,  trying  again  and  again  to  get  me  to  eat. 
She  gave  me  to  understand  by  closing  her  eyes  and  slowly 
dropping  to  the  ground  that  I  would  die.  At  last  a  faint 
perception  of  her  feelings  began  to  dawn  upon  me.  I 
thought  there  might  be  a  possible  shadow  of  a  chance  of  ^ 
life  and  escape  through  her.  I  took  the  bowl  which  she 
brought,  eating  its  contents,  and  she  indicated  her  pleas- 
ure by  patting  my  hand. 

Feeling  somewhat  refreshed  and  a  little  more  hopeful,  I 
begun  to  take  an  inventory  of  the  lodge  and  furniture — a 
small  sheet-iron  kettle  and  two  or  three  little  wooden 
bowls  or  trays,  a  spoon  made  from  the  horn  of  the  moun- 
tain goat,  sawed  lengthwise,  served  the  double  purpose  or 
ladle  and  soup  plate,  and  held  about  a  gill.    These  arti- 


i 


H 


n 


'ti 


'  *?iWT«cwTK'*H¥»>  <r 


.108 


r"i* 


m  it 


<cles  constituted  the  cooking  titensils.  The  saw  which  is 
used  to  perform  this  work  is  made  from  an  old  steel  blade, 
with  teeth  hacked  into,  it,  and  sharpened  on  a  flat  stone. 
The  stomach  of  a  buffalo  served  as  a  vessel  for  carrying 
water.  A  leather  string  is  drawn  in  at  the  top,  thus  pre- 
venting the  liquid  from  spilling,  and  also  serving  the  pur- 
fpose  of  a  handle  by  which  it  is  carried.  A  curiausly  wo- 
ven bed  of  willow  occupied  one  side  of  the  lodge,  made 
much  like  the  wicker  chairs  now  in  use.  Two  wooden 
sticks,  eight  feet  in  length,  formed  the  frame  over  which 
the  willows  were  brought,  and  by  interlacing  made  the 
bottom  of  the  bed.  It  had  no  legs;  the  ends  of  these  rods 
projecting  a  foot  at  each  end  and  resting  in  crotched  sticks 
driven  into  the  ground.  The  whole  was  constructed  much 
like  a  wardrobe,  without  a  top.  A  buffalo  skin  was  fas- 
tened over  it,  serving  as  a  protection  from  dust  and  in- 
sects. A  door  opened  to  admit  the  sleeper  and  was  fas- 
tened by  a  little  willow  latch.  The  bedding  consisted  of 
dried  grass;  over  this  a  buffalo  robe;  a  blanket  serving  as 
a  covering.  The  lodge  was  cone  shaped,  and  an  aperture 
at  the  top  served  as  a  chimney  for  the  egress  of  the  smoke, 
as  the  fire  is  built  in  the  center  of  the  wigwam  on  the 
floor,  which  is  pounded  while  damp,  making  it  smooth  and 
iiard  almost  as  stone. 

My  condition  was  by  this  time  somewhat  bettered  and 


mmmmm 


109* 


I  began  to  hope  that  they  did  not  intend  to  put  an  end  to* 
my  life  as  I  felt  sure  that  the  time  might  come  when  I 
would  be  free  again,  but  the  constant  vigilance  of  the 
young  girl  made  it  impossible  to  even  make  the  attempt 
now.  I  knew  that  it  behooved  me  not  to  offend  my  dusky 
companion,  for  although  I  could  not  tell  in  just  what  man- 
ner she  would  either  directly  or  indirectly  be  the  i)rinci- 
pal  factor  in  my  plan  of  escape,  I  felt  at  least  that  I  must 
conciliate  her. 

She  treated  me  with  the  greatest  kindness,  cooking  my 
food  and  serving  me  with  such  comforts  as  her  mode  of 
life  provided.  She  brought  me  an  immense  ])ipe  of  stone 
with  a  hatchet  on  one  side  and  the  i)ipe  on  the  other, 
always  filling  and  lighting  it  for  me,  but  as  soon  as  1  was 
through  smoking,  putting  it  away.  I  was  never  allowed 
to  have  anything  by  which  I  could  injure  her.  By  my 
good  behavior  I  was  i  ewarded  by  having  my  hands  free,  but 
my  feet  were  still  bound  so  that  I  could  not  run,  but  could 
walk  with  comparative  ease. 

Never  for  one  moment  did  she  allow  me  to  get  faraway 
from  her,  and  when  going  out  from  the  lodge  to  walk 
about  the  camp  she  was  my  constant  attendant,  carrying 
her  gun,  as  I  suppose,  in  case  I  might  attempt  to  escape 
she  could  shoot  me ;  but  I  did  not  intend  to  do  so  impru- 
dent a  thing  as  that ;  while  1  did  not  feel  any  more  dispos- 


•'Vir'4im'rr*n^fnnimt-!»-^ 


1 


m 


It 

I 


110 

*ed  to  remain  than  at  first,  I  proposed  to  make  the  attempt 
when  there  was  some  prospect  of  escape,  and  I  wanted  to 
disarm  her  of  all  suspicion ;  first  trying  to  get  her  confi- 
dence and  convincing  her  that  I  wanted  to  remain  and  be- 
*come  one  of  the  braves;  but  the  Indian  is  so  trained  in 
-ijunning  and  deceit  that  he  cannot  trust  others,  and  it  was 
many  months  before  I  could  see  that  I  had  gained  any 
'Vantage  ground. 

I  began  to  manifest  an  interest  in  what  was  going  on  in 
rcamp  li*9,  and  was  very  anxious  to  learn  her  tongue.  She 
took  great  pains  to  teach  me,  first  the  names  of  the  few 
.•articles  about  the  tent,  and  my  vocabulary  increased  to 
•  quite  an  extent  as  we  would  wander  into  the  woods 
.many  new  objects  presenting  themselves,  the  names  of 
^which  I  would  ask,  repeating  them  after  her  with  such  ac- 
.  curacy  that  she  would  become  almost  gleeful. 

After  I  had  been  in  bondage  for  several  months  she 
itook  me  to  gather  some  berries  which  form  one  of  the  in- 
.'gredients  of  what  is  known  as  "pemmJcan,"  a  food  much  in 
favor  with  all  tribes,  especially  when  going  on  long  trips, 
;a8  it  is  not  bulky  to  carry  and  very  nutritious,  answering 
}both  as  food  and  drink,  composed  of  dried  meat  pounded 
:to  a  powder,  rolled  with  marrow  from  the  bone  of  the  buf- 
jfalo  and  a  free  admixture  of  the  fruit  of  which  we  were  in 
<juest,  also  the  dried  root  of  the  Sioux  plant. 


^:' 


Ill 


This  seemed  to  be  a  propitious  time  for  me  to  ascertain 
from  her,  why  I  had  been  released  from  burning,  and  to 
try  and  find  if  she  were  not  the  true  cause  of  my  reprieve. 

She  told  me  what  the  Great  Spirit  had  revealed  to  her 
and  what  she  had  said  to  her  fatber  that  had  changed  his 
intentions  in  regard  to  my  execution.  I  asked  her  why 
she  wanted  to  save  my  life,  with  something  of  maidenly 
delicacy  she  answered,  "I  wanted  you  for  my  brave,"  while 
I  was  not  entirely  unprepared  for  this  declaration,  I  was 
a  little  startled,  fearing  to  offend  her  and  at  the  same  time 
determined  not  to  accede  to  her  proposal.  I  felt  that  it 
required  more  tact  than  I  possessed  to  bridge  over  this 
(Chasm.  Something  in  my  manner  aroused  her  suspicion, 
that  I  was  averse  to  her  proposition,  the  intuitions  of  the 
aavage  are  very  acute,  and  she  began  looking  upward  and 
implored  the  Great  Spirit  to  soften  the  heart  of  the  pale 
face.  I  concluded  she  did  not  get  the  comfort  she  sought 
as  she  began  cutting  her  limbs  with  a  flint  until  I  begged 
lier  to  desist,  I  told  her  that  the  God  which  we  worship- 
ped did  not  require  such  a  sacrifice,  and  after  a  time  she 
became  quiet  and,  to  all  outward  appearances,  the  same  as 
usual. 

It  has  often  b«^en  a  question  whether  my  indifference 
toward  her,  had  not  left  a  little  pain  at  her  heart;  at  times 
I  pitied  her,  and  earnestly  wished  that  some  change  in 


1^ 


III 


!l  |!{ 


112 

my  surronu dings  might  offer  me  an  opportunity  to  com- 
pensate her  for  all  her  kindness. 

One  of  the  most  trying  things  wliicli  I  had  to  endure 
was  the  uncleanliness  of  the  Indians;  I  have  frequently 
picked  from  my  soup  at  one  meal  from  three  to  a  dozen 
worms,  which  the  dried  meat  contained.  The  filthiness 
of  the  cooking  utensils  were  a  source  of  much  annoyance 
to  me.  I  told  Pomi  that  the  white  girls  did  work  very 
differently  from  her,  and  as  she  was  tractable  it  was  not 
long  before  she  became  quite  neat,  both  in  cooking  and 
as  to  her  person.  I  always  insisted  upon  going  to  the 
stream  to  wash  before  our  meals,  and  of  (lourse  as  she 
accouipanied  me  I  requested  that  she  perform  her  ablu- 
tions. She  was  never  repulsive  to  me,  her  expression 
was  kind  and  her  manner  gentle,  her  haii"  straight  and 
black  which  she  wore  braided  and  always  greased.  "How 
was  she  dressed"?  I  think  I  hear  the  more  favored  girl  of 
the  period  ask:  A  sleeveless  dress,  cut  deeollettr,  in  this 
respect  just  like  your  last  ball  dr;^ss.  A  pair  of  leggins, 
beaded  moccasins,  and  her  toilet  is  completed,  except 
when  the  weather  demands  a  mantle  thrown  about  her, 
the  entire  suit  being  made  from  the  skin  of  some  animal. 
She  took  a  feminine  pride  in  plaiting  her  hair  in  long 
braids,  and  to  encourage  her  in  anything  toward  a  more 
respectable  manner  of  life  I  made  her  a  comb  from  the 


113 


horn  of  a  buffalo,  Btraightening  it  by  placing  it  be- 
tween two  flat  stones,  sawing  the  teeth  by  means 
of  an  old  knife  blade,  making  it  smooth  by  polishing 
on  a  stone.  She  then  wanted  a  box  for  it,  which  I 
also  made.  She  cherished  thorn  as  a  wonderful  test  of 
my  skill. 

The  prospect  of  ending  my  days  with  this  tribe  became 
more  and  more  revolting  to  me,  and  a  plan  of  escape  be- 
gan to  assume  tangible  form  in  my  mind.  4fter  being  in 
camp  for  about  six  months  I  was  untied  and  allowed  the 
freedom  of  the  grounds  surrounding  the  lodge,  but  my 
faithful  attendant  was  with  me  night  and  day.  I  begged 
at  different  times  to  be  allowed  to  go  out  alone,  telling  her  I 
would  return,  but  she  would  shake  her  head  doubtfullj'  and 
say :  "White  man  got  two  tongues."  I  wanted  to  go  a  lit- 
tle farther  south  than  she  had  been  with  me,  in  order  to 
see  if  I  could  locate  a  mountain  over  which  we  came  when 
I  first  arrived  at  the  camp,  and  wished  to  be  convinced 
that  I  was  correct  as  to  the  direction  in  which  it  lay  in  or- 
der, to  know  what  course  to  take  if  my  plans  worked  out 
as  I  hoped  they  might;  bat  I  found  that  it  was  useless  to 
plead  with  her  to  allow  me  to  go  out  alone,  and  not  wish- 
ing to  awaken  her  suspicion  I  said  nothing  more  concern- 
ing it,  but  would  induce  her  to  prolong  our  walks  in  that 
direction,  first  upon  one  pretext  and  then  another,  for  un- 


«    'r 

i'i' 
!  t* 

t 
!  j' 

f 

wi 


ni 


1t% 


I 


m 


;lj 


•=5(»pv.,»^Tf,!w:-« 


114 


less  she  became  alarmed  for  fear  that  I  would  leave  her 
she  was  my  willing  slave. 

My  conscience,  even  now,  smites  me  to  think  of  the  de- 
ception I  practiced  upon  the  woman,  to  whom  I  owe  my 
life,  but  as  an  excuse  I  will  plead  that  being  a  white  man 
and  she  an  Indian  was  sufficient  grounds  for  not  wishing 
to  take  her  as  my  wife,  and  the  only  way  that  seemed  to 
suggest  to  me  a  path  out  of  the  difficulty  was  to  take  my 
flight,  and  the  way  to  liberty  must  be  through  her  agency, 
and  she  must  not  know  that  she  was  an  assistant  in  the 
matter  of  my  escape,  hence  I  must  use  some  deceit. 

At  li'st,  a  few  weeks  after  I  had  asked  permission  to  go 
out  alone,  we  went  far  enough  to  enable  me  to  see  the 
mountain,  and  I  satisfied  myself  that  it  was  the  veritable 
one  over  which  I  had  passed  months  before.  I  pointed  it 
out  to  her  and  asked  her  how  many  miles  away.  She 
raised  both  her  hands,  indicating  that  it  was  ten  miles  dis- 
tant. I  felt  sure  that  it  was  farther  and  asked  her  to  go 
with  me.  She  shook  her  head,  saying,  "You  never  come 
back."  I  said,  "Why  do  you  watch  me  so  closely;  I  want 
to  become  a  brave  warrior  and  go  out  to  hunt  with  your 
father,  i  can  shoot  equal  to  his  best  brave.  Why  will 
you  not  test  my  skill?  Go  with  me  to  the  mountain  and 
let  me  prove  to  you  all  that  I  say  is  true.  I  will  surely 
return  and  bring  back  some  proof  that  I  am  a  brave  hun- 


■HI 


116 

ter."  She  at  length  promised  that  before  many  "moons'^ 
she  would  go  with  me  to  the  mountain. 

I  felt  that  I  had  (gained  the  first  step,  however  small  it 
might  be,  toward  the  accomplishment  of  my  designs,  for 
I  know  she  would  keep  her  promise,  although  it  might  be 
slow  in  coming.  It  had  been  made,  and  that  I  counted 
quite  a  victory.  I  did  not  think  it  wise  to  refer  too  soon 
to  our  proposed  trip  to  the  mountain  as  she  might  think 
me  too  anxious,  and  attribute  it  to  something  in  regard  to 
my  escape,  for  she  seemed  to  understand  as  well  as  though 
I  had  told  her,  that  I  was  restless  and  chafing  under  my 
confinement. 

Months  rolled  away  and  she  maintained  perfect  silence 
on  the  subject  uppermost  in  my  mind.  We  had  settled 
down  to  our  old  life  at  the  lodge,  and  a  monotonous  one  it 
had  become  to  me.  The  first  little  ray  of  hope  which  had 
encouraged  me  had  unfitted  me  for  enduring  my  captivity 
with  any  thing  like  fortitude.  At  times  I  almost  despaired 
of  ever  being  able  to  break  away  from  the  bondage  which 
held  me,  and  should  I  succeed  I  would  be  alone  and  un- 
armed in  a  strange  country  among  the  savages.  But  I 
finally  decided  to  appear  to  take  my  usual  assumed  inter- 
eat  in  what  passed  around  me. 

r\y '  some  time  our  tent  was  not  visited  by  any  other  of 
the  tribe  excepting  some  members  of  Poma's  family,  who 


iK*i 


'  11 

m 
.1!; 


ii 


!  ' 


k;^ 


m. 


116 


at  first  brought  our  food  to  the  lodge  cooked,  but  I  pro- 
tested against  this  and  asked  my  companion  to  cook  it 
herself,  wishing  it  to  be  prepared  under  my  supervision, 
knowing  that  it  would  be  less  free  from  filth.  To  this  she 
readily  agreed.  After  a  few  more  months  young  girls 
came  occasionally  to  the  lodge,  and  to  while  away  the 
dreary  hours  I  talked  with  them  and  received  in  return 
shy  looks  and  equally  shy  answers.  One  who  was  con- 
sidered the  beauty  of  the  tribe  finally  became  almost  our 
daily  visitor,  and  began  certain  little  Indian  coquetries 
with  me,  which  Poma  with  an  unchanged  countenance  and 
haughty  manner  appeared  not  to  notice.  I  watched  the 
two  swarthy  maidens  and  wondered  what  the  outcome 
would  be,  wisely  refraining  as  much  as  possible  from  ex- 
changing more  words  with  the  visitor  than  absolute  neces- 
sity demanded.  I  thought  I  detected  in  the  eye  of  the  in- 
truder a  look  of  triumph,  but  nothing  in  Poma's  appear- 
ance showed  any  unusual  disturbance ;  the  next  day  came, 
but  not  our  guest,  and  the  next,  and  she  never  came  again. 
What  plan  my  silent  attendant  adopted  to  frustrate  this 
aboriginal  beauty  in  her  little  love  plot  I  never  knew,  but 
was  assured  by  the  manner  of  the  latter,  who  kept  at  a  re- 
spectful distance  from  us,  always  averting  her  face,  that 
Poma  had  outwitted  her  in  some  manner.  To  the  fair 
beauty  who  may  read  this,  who  is  so  practiced  in  these  arts 


117 


and  counts  npon  her  fingers  her  victims  as  a  savage  counts 
the  number  of  scalps  he  has  won,  is  it  not  admissible  that 
you  be  interrogated  and  only  a  mental  answer  to  the  query 
is  all  that  be  demanded,  is  our  dusky  friend  excusable  for 
being  engaged  in  coquetries  ?  Is  our  cultured,  intellec- 
tual, fortune-favored,  Anglo-Saxon  beauty  excusable  for 
her  coquetries  ?  Imagine  if  all  your  deceits,  falsehoods 
and  numberless  treacheries  should  come  to  you  in  all  their 
hydra-headed  hideousness  and  pull  at  your  heartstrings 
with  one-tenth  the  humiliation  and  pain  you  bave  caused 
others;  could  you  be  awakened  to  a  realizing  sense  of  how 
you  mar  the  best  of  your  nature  by  training  all  your  bet- 
ter faculties  to  a  hardening,  degrading  process,  then  this 
little  exhortation  will  not  have  been  in  vain.  "Will  you 
have  us  live  the  life  of  a  recluse?"  you  ask.  We  would  have 
you  enjoy  the  healthful,  sweet  pleasures  of  youth,  for  God 
has  so  ordained  that  all  the  young  shall  laugh,  and  sing, 
and  play.  Make  yourself  as  beautiful  and  swoet  and  win- 
ning as  you  wish,  so  that  the  spring  from  whence  issues  all 
this  attraction  is  pure,  and  noble,  and  high,  that  with  the 
charms  which  nature  has  vouchsafed  to  youth  you  add  a 
desire  to, 

"  Count  that  day  lost,  whose  low,  descending  sun, 
Views  from  thy  hand  no  worthy  action  done." 


'•;t 


UJ' 


'I 


The  warriors  were  about  to  go  out  for  game  and  wanted 


wj 


118 


^ 


Poma  to  plead  with  the  Great  Spirit  for  success.  She  ask- 
ed me  to  sit  by  her  side,  and  look  up,  and  with  her,  ask  that 
game  be  plenty,  and  upon  their  return  with  a  good  supplj 
of  meats  she  said ;  "See  !  the  braves  have  brought  much 
game,  two  asked  instead  of  one.''  A  choice  mountain 
bird  was  brought  to  our  tent,  which  my  little  Indian  girl 
cooked,  first  rolling  it,  feathers  and  all,  in  water  and  then 
in  ashes,  and  digging  a  place  in  the  earth  of  sufficient  size 
to  receive  it,  she  covered  it  with  live  coals  and  when 
cooked  the  feathers  and  skin  came  off  together,  the  meat 
was  indeed  savory,  although  without  seasoning,  br  I  had 
become  so  accustomed  to  eating  food  without  it,  that  it 
was  years  after  coming  back  to  civilization  before  I  learn- 
ed to  relish  it  again. 

At  the  expiration  of  fifteen  months  from  the  time  of  my 
arrival  the  warriors  were  making  preparations  to  go  out 
to  war  with  another  tribe,  and  left  none  but  the  women, 
children  and  old  men;  this  was  the  first  time  since  my  stay 
that  all  the  able  bodied  men  had  left  the  camp  and  it 
seemed  to  be  the  first  good  opportunity  to  try  and  venture 
on  my  plan  of  action. 


iia 


CHAFIER  XI. 

Killing?  Buffalo — A  ray  of  hope — Out  of  the   Lodge — On 
the  trail  to  Liberty — Nels  in  Oauip. 

We  had  been  for  some  time  without  fresh  meat  and  I 
told  Poma  tlie  second  day  after  the  departure  of  the  war- 
riors, that  I  wanted  some  buffalo  meat  and  after  some  per- 
suasion on  my  part  I  succeeded  in  getting  her  consent  to 
go  out  with  me  and  see  if  we  could  not  kill  some,  she  pre- 
pared two  ponies,  the  one  which  she  rode  being  fleet  and 
young,  the  one  which  she  gave  me  old  and  stiff",  but  I  ac- 
cepted even  this  thankfully;  she  carrying  the  gun  and 
kni  !e.  I  mounted  my  pony  feeling  a  certain  sense  of  free- 
dom which  I  had  not  experienced  for  over  a  year,  while  I 
was  still  under  the  watchful  eye  of  my  companion,  I  was 
traveling  in  the  direction  of  liberty.  I  was  in  the 
highest  spirits,  and  while  we  were  looking  for  game  the 
mountain  came  into  view  and  I  proposed  that  we  go  in 
that  direction  as  we  might  find  some  buffalo.  Having  rid- 
den some  distance  we  espied  a  herd  feeding  quietly  on  a 
little  eminence  a  short  way  off.  I  asked  her  to  let  me  go 
out  and  shoot  one;  she  rode  by  my  side  until  within  range 
and  after  considerable  parley  she  gave  me  the  gun  and  an 
extra  ball.     I  was  successful  as  at  the  first  shot  I  killed  a 


I 


in^ 


,'. 


■■T* 


I 


m 


li 


■■ 

\ 


s. 


i^ 


:i 


ii  ■ 


120 

full  grown  cow.  Poma  came  galloping  toward  me  express- 
ing her  surprise  and  pleasure  that  I  could  shoot  so  well 
and  calling  me  brave.  As  Indian  women  perform  all  the 
drudgery,  she  at  once  set  about  dressingthe  buffalo  which 
I  had  killed,  cutting  the  skin  lengthwise  of  the  vertebra, 
and  was  about  to  take  out  the  choicest  meat  when  I  no- 
ticed it  was  not  as  fat  as  I  had  thought,  and  just  then  I 
saw  a  partly  grown  calf  farther  on  and  wanted  to  try  my 
luc-:  with  tbat.  I  had  proved  myself  brave  from  an  Indians 
standpoint,  and  risen  in  her  estimation  to  such  an  extent 
that  she  gave  me  the  loaded  gun  without  any  objections. 
Again  I  was  successful,  killing  the  calf  which  I  had 
seen.  This  time  she  came  to  me  lavish  with  praises  and  till- 
ed and  lighted  my  pipe,  while  she  busied  herself  cutting 
out  such  of  the  meat  as  we  could  carry.  I  reuunded  her  of 
lier  promise  to  go  with  me  to  the  mountain,  and  said  "we 
are  so  near  we  will  go  to-day."  She  seemed  startled  and 
refused;  ''let  me  go  alone  if  you  will  not  go  witli  me," 
"white  man  never  come  back"  she  said  mournfully.  I 
made  a  i)romi8e  to  return  before  the  sun  sunk  behind  the 
western  hills.  I  asked  the  privilege  of  riding  her  pony 
which  she  refused  but  did  not  make  any  objections  when 
I  proposed  using  the  old  one,  evidently  thinking  I  could 
not  make  much  progress  with  so  old  and  useless  an  ani- 
mal .       -         »       ■      . 


121 

I  started  in  the  direction  of  the  mountain,  going  af^  rap- 
idly as  the  old  horse  could  travel.  The  distance  proved 
greater  than  I  thought,  but  at  '  ist  I  reached  the  moun- 
tain, passed  over  it,  and  found  a  trail  which,  after  some 
time,  led  to  another,  which  I  thought  to  be  that  of  the 
white  man,  and  was  soon  convinced  that  such  was  the 
€ase,  as  there  were  evidences  of  horses  with  shoes  having 
traveled  over  it.  The  Indiau  does  not  shoe  his  horse,  and 
in  that  way  I  detected  the  white  man's  trail  at  once.  The 
thought  that  I  was  on  ground  recently  trodden  by  those 
of  my  own  race  was  a  joy  to  me.  I  felt  that  my  prospect 
at  least  for  reaching  friends  was  flattering.  I  retraced  my 
steps  and  arrived  where  I  had  left  Poma,  later  than  I  had 
promised,  and  when  I  found  her  she  was  sitting  in  a  de- 
jected position,  crying  bitterly.  When  she  saw  me  she 
rail  to  meet  me,  exclaiming,  "I  thought  you  had  left  me  !" 
"I  told  you  I  would  come  back,"  I  said.  She  point- 
ed to  the  reddened  sky,  saying,  "the  sun  is  gone."  I  ex- 
])l;'ined  to  h'.vr  the  distance  had  been  greater  than  I  sup- 
posed, and  she  seemed  satisfied  with  the  explanation. 

Poor  girl  i  1  cannot  think  of  her  now  without  a  feeling 
of  regret  that  I  was  obliged  to  resort  to  decei)tion  that  I 
might  gain  my  freedom.  As  we  rode  side  by  side  that 
night  I  doubt  not  her  mind  was  filled  with  plans  of  conju- 
j^al  bliss — mine  full  of  schemes  as  to  how  I  should  pro- 


■r 
I 


i: 


I 


■  i 

\ 


i ' 


t 


\i 

3i 


i 
ml 
m 


I:: 


122 


^UM 


h  i 


ceed  to  put  distance  between  us,  and  already  the  plot  was 
laid  by  which  to-morrow's  sun  would  see  me  far  away,  if 
I  were  favored  in  my  plans.  It  was  late  before  we  reach- 
ed the  camp,  and  the  ride  h«.d  been  a  long  and  hard  one. 
She  staked  out  the  horses  and  I  accompanied  her  and 
watched  closely  to  see  where  the  chief's  pony  had  been 
secured,  it  being  the  best  in  the  camp  and  reserved  for 
long,  tiresome  trips. 

She  cooked  my  supper,  after  which  sbe  brought  my 
pipe,  and  after  I  had  enjoyed  the  smoke  she  proposed  that 
I  sleep,  as  she  had  the  meat  to  care  for.  I  acted  upon  this 
suggestion,  for  well  I  knew  how  \aluable  a  little  rest  was 
to  me  at  this  particular  time.  After  sleeping  for  over  an 
hour  I  awakened  and  she  retired.  As  she  was  exhausted 
from  her  long  ride  and  late  hours  she  soon  fell  into  a 
heavy  sleep,  which  was  indicated  by  her  manner  of  breath- 
ing. She  had  woven  my  long  hair  about  her  lingers,  as 
she  had  always  done,  in  order  that  she  might  take  the 
alarm  the  instant  there  was  a^y  movement  on  my  part.  I 
did  not  sleep,  but  waited  until  I  was  assured  that  she  was 
sleeping,  and  very  cautiously  commenced  slipping  the 
coils  from  her  fingers,  yet  she  slept  on.  After  a  time  I 
stepped  with  a  cat-like  tread  upon  the  floor,  and  had  just 
reached  the  lodge  door  when  she  called  me  to  stop.  I 
pleaded  sickness,  but  she  was  at  my  side  in  an  instant  and 


123 


ordered  me  to  return  to  bed.  I  urged  that  my  ride  had 
been  so  long  that  I  was  considerably  lamed,  and  asked 
permission  to  rest  on  the  front  of  the  bed,  to  which  she 
consented,  seeming  to  be  too  sleepy  to  have  her  usual  pre- 
caution. Bat  a  short  time  had  elapsed  until  her  heavy 
breathing  announced  that  she  was  again  asleep.  I  peered 
into  her  faee  to  see  if  it  would,  be  safe  to  attemi)t  to  go 
out  on  ray  perilous  trip,  and  as  before,  unbound  my  hair 
from  her  fingers,  and  opening  the  door  of  the  bed  which 
she  had  secured,  stepped  out,  waiting  a  moment  to  see  if 
she  had  heard  me,  then  passed  quietly  to  the  lodge  door 
again,  pausing  to  see  if  she  had  been  disturbed,  but  her 
breathing  was  still  indicative  of  slumber.  I  went  hur- 
riedly out,  and  silently  as  I  could,  to  where  I  had  seen  the 
horse,  and  hastily  mounting  him  rode  slowly  until  well  out 
of  hearing,  then  u  ged  him  to  his  utmost  speed,  never 
stopping  for  one  moment.  It  was  not  long  before  I  reach- 
ed the  trail  which  I  had  found  the  day  before.  The  pony 
occasionally  lost  it,  but  by  slackening  his  speed  and  allow- 
ing him  to  put  his  nose  to  the  ground  he  scented  it  out 
again.  Then  striking  into  a  swinging,  rapid  gait,  as  every 
thing  depended  upon  my  finding  frietids  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, and  time  was  life  to  me,  every  mile  which  I  left  be- 
hind was  so  much  farther  from  bondage  and  so  much 
nearer  freedom.     On,  on,  over  hill  and  stream,  down  into 


'  .  !~ 


r\: 


;ii' 


:ii'"":ii'r 


124 


:v:     I 


a  valley,  then  through  low  wooded  plains,  the  brush 
crackling  and  rattling  as  we  passed;  the  faithful  animal 
keeping  up  his  speed  remarkably  well,  but  when  we  had 
ridden  until  noon  the  next  day  he  began  to  lag  and  I 
would  urg&  him  on,  not  even  stopping  to  give  him  a  drink; 
as  I  feared  that  if  he  drank  he  might  not  be  able  to  finish 
the  journey. 

After  riding  two  days,  just  as  we  were  emerging  from  a 
ravine,  my  tired  horse  whinnied.  I  soon  recognized  two 
horses  belonging  to  my  company,  and  my  surprise  and  joy 
I  cannot  express.  No  words  can  convey  to  the  reader 
that  moment  of  ecstacy,  for  Nels'  was  the  first  face  I  saw. 
I  was  so  changed  he  did  not  know  me,  supposing  me  to  be 
an  Indian,  and  thought  me  long  since  dead.  I  threw  up 
my  hands  in  token  of  surrender,  and  as  he  came  toward 
me  he  exclaimed,  "Joe,  I  thought  you  were  dead !"  and 
lifted  me  from  the  horse,  and  with  the  aid  of  others  car- 
ried me  to  the  camp. 

The  excoriation  caused  from  riding  so  great  a  distance 
was  terrible,  and  aggravated  by  the  sweat  from  the  horse 
left  me  as  helpless  as  a  child.  I  was  cared  for  as  kindly 
as  one  could  well  be,  but  my  sufferings  were  almost  past 
endurance.  My  old  friends  flocked  around  me  asking  me 
numberless  questions,  and  all  did  what  lay  in  their  power 
to  alleviate  my  sufferings.     My  pony  had  given  his  life  for 


12fi^ 


mine,  as  he  lived  but  a  short  time,  but  was  well  cared  for, 
and  could  I  have  done  so,  I  would  have  erected  a  slab  to 
his  memory  bearing  an  inscription,  which  if  not  so  classic- 
ally worded  as  some  eulogies  seen  in  our  cemeteries,  at 
least  equalling  them  in  truth. 

It  was  several  months  before  I  so  far  recovered  as  to  go 
out  with  the  balance  of  the  camp,  and  my  first  trips  were 
on  a  kind  of  litter  made  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  me; 
but  I  accepted  my  present  condition  with  grateful  heart 
as  compared  with  that  of  a  few  months  previous. 

We  all  made  a  solemn  vow  never  to  be  taken  alive  by 
the  Indians;  my  experience  having  been  so  bitter  we  were 
exceedingly  cautious  thereafter,  and  after  being  together 
some  years  our  promise  remained  unbroken.  Some  fears 
were  entertained  that  L^ion  the  return  of  the  war- 
riors of  the  tribe  which  I  had  left  they  might  attempt  to 
capture  me,  but  the  supposition  is  they  did  not,  as  noth- 
ing indicated  that  I  had  been  followed. 


—m 


f 


126 


CHAFrER  XII. 

Through  the  Pass — Bruin — The  Digger  Indian — Religious 

Customs. 

Having  followed  our  wanderers  this  far  we  will  be 
obliged,  in  order  to  pursue  our  account  of  their  journeys, 
to  accompany  them  on  their  trip  toward  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia  rivef.  Clark,  its  northern  branch,  finds  its 
source  in  the  Rockies,  and  is  environed  by  high,  heavily- 
timbered  mountains.  At  Walla- Walla  it  forms  a  junction 
with  another  tributary — the  Lewis;  these  two  rivers  being 
named  in  honor  of  the  explorers  who  visited  it  as  early  as 
1804.  Reaching  the  Cascade  mountains,  their  course  lay 
to  the  south  until  coming  to  the  Pass  discovered  by  Lewis 
and  Clark,  and  situated  46®  30'  north,  but  not  so  easy  of 
access  as  the  pass  farther  on  known  as  South  Pass,  dis- 
covered by  Col.  Fremont,  and  l)ecoming  later  the  great 
thoroughfare  from  the  States  to  Oregon. 

This  trip  was  made  with  ponies  for  which  the  company 
had  traded  and  were  being  taken  to  California,  some  of 
which  had  been  procured  for  the  trifling  sum  of  a  red  cot- 
ton handkerchief  each. 

After  the  safe  passage  of  the  Gap  the  company  arrived 


127 


on  the  other  side  of  the  mountain  and  securing  their 
horses  and  making  preparations  for  the  night,  they  were 
not  a  little  surprised  to  come  upon  a  large  grizzly  bear. 
Bruin  was  quietly  and  lazily  resting  hi3  head  on  his  fore 
paws,  but  arose  with  some  haste  when  he  discovered  his 
antagonists ;  turning  with  his  face  toward  them  with  an 
air  that  seemed  to  say,  I  am  ready  for  you  when  you  see 
tit  to  make  the  attack.  This  species  being  twice  tlie  size 
of  the  black  bear  which  he  somewhat  resembles  in  his  full 
forehead  and  narrow,  flat,  elongated,  nose.  His  feet  are 
exceedingly  large,  the  breadth  of  the  fore  foot  more  than 
nine  inches,  the  length  of  the  hind  foot  exclusive  of  the 
claws  eleven  inches  and  three  quarters,  and  its  breadth 
seven  inches,  the  talons  sometimes  measuring  six  inches. 
While  he  is  well  adapted  for  digging  in  the  earth,  his  is 
the  only  species  known  that  cannot  climb  trees.  All  the 
intermediate  shades  between  gray  and  dark  brown  are 
seen  in  his  furry  coat,  but  the  usual  color  is  the  dark 
shade,  beiig  somewhat  grizzled  by  a  mixture  of  grayish 
hairs,  the  brown  ones  tipped  with  gray.  The  Indian  re- 
gards him  with  the  utmost  terror  on  account  of  his  great 
muscular  strength,  for  when  wounded  his  rage  knows  no 
bounds  and  he  is  so  tenacious  of  life  that  even  after  re- 
ceiving several  balls  in  different  parts  of  the  body — unless 
it  be  in  the  head — he  is  still  a  formidable  foe.     While  we 


'': 


m\ 


,1' 


i 


:i! 


T? 


»■'. 


i 


:' 


ii 


128 


are  describing  the  shaggy  fellow  our  adventurers  are 
making  the  most  of  their  time  finding  trees  to  which  they 
may  retreat  before  commencing  the  attack.  A  report  from 

• 

two  of  the  rifles  is  heard  and  two  balls  enter  his  body, 
one  through  the  lungs,  the  other  a  slight  flesh  wound,  he 
becomes  infuriated  and  with  open  mouth  and  quick  rack- 
ing gait  pursues  one  of  the  party  who  has  not  yet  found  a 
tree,  but  with  little  ceremony  drops  his  gun  and  now  com- 
mences a  race  for  life;  it  seems  that  the  bear  is  about  to 
grasp  him  in  his  strong  embrace,  but  a  tree  is  scaled  in 
time  to  elude  the  claws  of  the  angry  beast,  and  an  instant 
after,  the  report  of  a  rifle  is  heard,  the  ball  this  time  enter- 
ing the  brain  of  the  animal  and  after  a  few  desperate 
efforts  he  falls  lifeless  to  the  ground.  Our  nimrods  now 
descend  ,  not  however  without  some  trepidation,  fearing 
that  others  might  be  near,  but  the  night  passed  and  noth- 
ing disturbed  them. 

Their  route  of  travel  being  somewhat  south  of  Salem, 
situated  on  the  Williamette,  passing  through  the  section 
of  Oregon  so  abundant  with  natural  meadow  lands,  afford- 
ing fine  pasturage  for  immense  herds  of  cattle,  the  soil 
evincing  great  productiveness  which  has  developed  into  a 
rich  agricultural  country,  under  tht  hand  of  cultivation. 

About  this  time  the  United  States  Government  granted 
one  half  section  of  land  in  Oregon  to  any  married  couple 


129 


who  would  settle  thereon,  the  result  being  a  large  emigra- 
tion to  that  locality.  Here  might  be  seen  the  shrewd  Kan- 
kee,  who  evidently  said  to  you,  by  the  tender  manner  in 
which  he  glided  over  his  "r's,"  that  he  hailed  from  New 
England.  The  "Buckeye,"  whose  horses  bore  the  unmis- 
takable marks  of  coming  from  Ohio  by  the  harness  of 
broad  straps,  in  which  a  surplus  of  leather  seemed  to  pre- 
dominate without  any  practical  value,certainly  not  beauty; 
and  from  nearly  every  State  in  the  Union  might  be  seen 
representatives  eager  to  make  for  themselves  homes  in 
this  rich  agricultural  country.  So  thorough  has  become 
this  admixture  from  all  the  States  that  localisms  in  speech 
do  not  cling  especially  to  any  one  class,  but  associations 
have  been  so  thorough  that  the  Indianian  has  fallen  into 
the  use  of  the  word  "draw"  instead  of  "haul,"  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  man  from  Maine  now  drinks  from  a  "buck- 
et" instead  of  a  "pail."  Indeed  it  will  be  difficult  a  few 
years  hence  lo  tell  whether  one  hails  from  beyond  the  Al- 
leghenies  or  Kockies  by  his  speech. 

They  found  water  power  sufficiently  great  to  carry  on  mill- 
ing industries  to  a  great  extent.  An  abundance  of  deer, 
elk,  antelope  and  other  game  abounded,  and  the  streams 
afforded  ducks  and  geese  which  supplied  them  with  palata- 
ble meats. 

After  reaching  California  the  company  encountered  a 


'■I 


m 


■  i  \- 


^ 


I 


130 


ix  I 


t  I 


Ml 


i  'i 


tribe  of  Indians  known  as  Digger  Indiana,  who  live  among 
the  mountains,  digging  caves  in  the  sides  of  hills  into 
which  they  creep,  the  entrance  being  small  and  almost 
covered  by  an  overhanging  tree  to  prevent  discovery. 
They  subsist  upon  roots,  bugs,  ants  and  grasshoppers,  also 
snakes,  which  they  kill  and  hang  up  until  they  become  ten- 
der by  age,  which  they  then  eat.  They  are  exceedingly 
timid  and  have  no  means  of  defense  excepting  bows  and 
arrows,  the  latter  made  from  a  kind  of  weed,  sharpened 
at  the  end  by  a  flint.  If  a  number  of  them  are  surprised 
by  the  whites  they  will  disappear  here  and  there,  hiding 
under  shrubs  and  grass,  and  otherwise  retreating,  it  being 
almost  a  marvel  how  quickly  they  disappear,  as  in  a  few 
moments  they  are  nowhere  to  be  seen.  Although  among 
the  lowest  tribes,  they  hold  in  reverence  the  Great  Being, 
to  whom  they  do  not  pray,  but  say,  "He  knows  better  than 
they  what  is  needed."  They  are  isliocked  when  hearing  the 
white  man  speak  irreverently  of  God. 

One  incident  related  by  Captain  Kocky  in  reference  to 
some  of  the  customs  of  the  different  tribes  is  invested 
with  considerable  interest.  As  they  were  on  one  of  their 
trips  tliey  found  an  aged  Indian  woman  wholly  isolated 
from  her  tribe  in  an  old,  dilapidated  tent,  with  scantj- cloth- 
ing and  very  little  food,  where  she  had  been  left  to  die,  as 
is  a  prevailing  custom  among  some  of  the  tribes.    The 


I 


131 

huntets  gave  the  poor  creature  a  liberal  supply  of  meats 
and  made  a  dress  for  her  from  some  tent  cloth  which 
they  had  with  them,  and  when  breaking  up  camp  were 
obliged  to  leave  the  unfortunate  woman  to  her  fate. 

"O  mighty  Great  Spirit 

Thy  gateways  unf  7ld, 
From  the  wigwam  of  sunset 

Lift  curtains  of  gold  ! 
Take  home  the  poor  spirit  whose  journey  Is  o'er." 

At  another  time  they  witnessed  what  seemed  to  them  a 
most  inhuman  occurrence.  An  Indian  woman  had  placed 
her  baby  upon  her  back  within  a  wicker  basket,  which  is 
made  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  their  young,  only  the 
head  emerging,  which  in  cold  wather  is  protected  by  a 
blanket  thrown  over  it.  As  the  baby  Indian  seldom  cries, 
this  one  did  not  manifest  any  i)Hrticular  discomfort,  and 
the  wind  blew  the  cover  from  the  little  head.  The  woman 
trudged  on  with  that  peculiar  gait  which  so  surely  indicates 
lack  of  intellectual  development;  not  seeming  to  notice  the 
poor  little  fellow,  but  at  last,  when  ready  :o  stop,  she  un- 
fastened the  basket  and  found  the  child  frozen  to  death. 
She  lamented  his  loss  with  loud  and  savage  cries,  and 
wrapping  it  in  a  blanket  secured  it  well  up  in  the  boughs 
of  a  tree  in  order  that  it  might  be  nearer  the  ''Great  Spir- 
it" who  is  supposed  by  the  superstitions,  ignorant  crea- 
tures to   come   down  and  carry  to  the   happy  hunting 


K 


132 


I 


grouuds  the  departed  spirits.  The  poor  mother  vainly  im- 
agines her  child  playing  amid  the  verdant  canopy  of  trees 
and  1)aBking  in  the  sunlight  of  the  Indian  heaven. 

On  another  occasion  the  party  found  two  Indians  en- 
gaged in  mortal  combat,  the  victor  taking  the  body  of  the 
dead  victim  and  wrapping  it  in  a  buffalo  skin,  placing  it 
well  uj)  in  a  tree  and  tying  it  securely.  The  murderer  com- 
ing back  after  some  time  has  elapsed,  urges  liim  to  awa- 
ken, saying,  "Come,  you  have  slept  long  enough;  come 
down."  He  then  leaves  tobacco  and  nieat,  again  going 
away,  and  perhaps  upon  his  return,  linding  the  body  gone^ 
it  having  become  the  prey  to  some  wild  animal,  he  ex- 
claims, "Aha!  aha!  you  have  gone  up  at  last,  have  youf 

After  reaching  the  coast  the  company  proceeded  in  a 
southerly  directiou,  '^^^^'ng  of  note  occurring,  the  Jour- 
ney having  been  an  unusually  luvorable  one. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  party  at  San  Francisco  we  found  a 
village  of  less  than  four  hundred  people,  with  nothing  to 
recommend  it,  either  to  tlie  ad>  enturer  or  the  pleasure 
seeker,  although  it  had  now  Dt.en  more  than  sixty  years 
since  two  Spanish  monks  had  founded  here  the  Mission  of 
St.  Francis.  Twenty  years  before  this  visit  of  our  traders, 
the  Mission  had  under  its  charge  one  thousand  Indiana 
and  possessed  very  valuable  herds  and  flocks.  Gold  had 
not  yet  been  discovered  in  California  and  it  was  still  in  the 


133 


poBsession  of  Mexico,  and  one  might  need  a  very  elastic 
imagination  to  see  within  the  next  ftve  ye»rs  the  eyes  of 
the  whole  contin*^!it  turned  to  this  veritable  spot;  and  yet 
this  is  only  one  link  in  the  great  chain  of  phenomena  that 
has  made  the  grandest  nation  now  under  the  sun,  from 
what  waa  but  a  century  before  a  few  straggling  settle- 
ments. .  , 

After  a  sojourn  of  ten  days  in  San  Francisco  the  entire 
party  embarked  on  a  schooner  for  Australia,  where  for- 
tunes were  being  made  in  a  day  in  the  gold  and  diamond 
fields,  and  where  the  restless  tide  of  enterprise  had  turned. 
By  an  unexplained  detention  in  San  Francisco  harbor  the 
vessel  lay  for  some  time  before  leaving  the  shore,  on  its 
outward  bound  passage,  and,  as  usual,  the  passengers  fret- 
ted at  the  d*. "  y.  While  waiting  a  most  singular  appearing 
man  and  woman,  both  in  dress  and  manners,  came  to  the 
landing  and  began  an  exhortation  to  the  sailors  and  crew 
to  "repent."  The  jeers  and  derisive  laughter  of  the  men 
were  at  first  the  only  response  which  they  received,  but  at 
last  the  woman  sang  in  a  peculiarly  sweet  and  touching 

voice  the  hymn  beginning  "Turn  ye !  O  turn  ye,  why  will  ye 
die,"  &c.    The  soft  notes  bringing  back  childish  memories 

of  home  and  native  land,  impressed  these  reckless  men, 

and  before  the  hymn  was  finished  many  eyes  were  misted 

with  tears,  and  as  the  ship  started  out  from  the  harbor  the 


,!  ■' 


4^ . 


¥^ 


i  :. 


:l'i 


•t;;- 


>    i 


i'v 


I 


I 


: 


134 

words  sang  by  this  unknown  woman  rang  out  across  the 
water  in  a  weird  mannar — 

"TosBed  upon  life's  tempestuous  blHow,  ' 

yweet  It  ia,  O,  Lord,  to  know 
Tbou  didst  press  u  sailor's  pillow— 

Thou  didst  feel  a  sailor's  woe." 

the  last  line  being  but  imperfectly  heard  in  the  distance. 
A  silence  of  a  few  moments  ensued,  followed  by  oaths 
and  imprecations  as  a  sort  of  mask  for  the  tender  feelings 
this  strange  woman's  words  had  awakened. 

But  only  a  few  days  out  and  a  terrible  storm  was  en- 
countered, from  which  the  crew  as  well  as  the  passengers 
were  very  much  disturbed — all  on  board  becoming  sick. 
After  a  few  hours  it  was  considerably  abated,  only  to  be 
followed  by  another  more  violent.  This  in  turn  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  third  even  more  terrible,  in  which  the  masts 
were  broken  off  and  the  rigging  completely  demolished. 
The  stores  were  all  damaged  so  they  were  unfit  for  use, 
and  the  water  casks  were  broken  and  leaking  so  badly 
that  enough  only  could  be  saved  to  supply  them  for  a  day 
or  two.  The  vessel  was  now  wholly  unmanageable  and 
was  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  wind  and  waves.  After 
two  days'  drifting  they  hailed  a  vessel  bo  and  for  San 
Francisco,  were  taken  on  board  with  as  much  of  the  cargo 
as  could  be  easily  transferred,  and  after  three  days'  rough 
sailing  they  again  found  themselves  in  San  Francisco. 


135 

After  a  short  delay  a  council  was  held  and  it  was  deci- 
ded that  the  entire  company  should  embark  for  Panama, 
cross  the  Isthmus,  and  reach  the  Mississippi  by  way  of  the 
Gulf.  It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  passage  wag  se- 
cured for  the  entire  party — forty-four — on  one  vessel,  but 
the  necessary  arrangements  were  finally  made  and  the 
voyage  entered  upon. 

I  have  wondered  many  times  if  the  inspiration — 

"A  life  on  the  ocern  wave, 
A  iiorne  on  the  rolling  deep," 

were  not  imbibed  by  some  forlorn  landsman  while  cross- 
ing an  Illinois  prairie  with  an  ox  team.  We  might  suggest 
that  subjects  akin  to  this  will  be  fully  as  likely  to  suggest 
themselves  while  swinging  in  a  hammock  at  Long  Branch 
or  Cape  May  as  while  "in  front  of  the  mast"  on  a  Pacific 
coaster. 

The  vesGel  was  well  out  and  all  was  going  nicely,  with  a 
smooth  sea  and  good  sail,  and  Joe  was  feeling  that  fortune 
was  again  smiling  on  his  plans,  but  the  revelation  at  this 
noonday  of  success  of  a  condition  of  affairs  wholly  un- 
locked for,  cast  quite  a  shadow  over  the  whole  company. 
Up  to  this  time  it  had  been  noticeable  that  the  crew  had 
constantly  communicated  in  Spanish  unless  addressed  by 
some  of  the  passengers  in  English,  and  as  the  party  on 
board  was  from  the  north  it  was  evidently  taken  for  grant- 


».s 


I-,   ■ 


■8        i 


136 


11 


ed  that  they  had  no  knowledge  of  the  Spanish  tongue,  and 
it  had  been  the  good  fortune  of  those  on  board  not  to  cor- 
rect the  erroneous  impression. 

One  jifteruoon  as  the  captain  stood  talking  with  the  man 
at  the  helm,  he  said  rather  carelessly  in  Spanish,  "You  are 
keeping  to  far  too  the  left."  "No,"  responded  the  other, 
"we  are  on  the  usual  line  for  the  Peninsula."  "But  I  don't 
want  to  touch  the  Peninsula,"  responded  the  captain, 
"Well,  what  about  the  men  on  board  who  are  to  be  lai/ J  ■  ■; 
at  Panama?"  was  the  response  of  the  astonished  sail^i. 
"We  11  take  them  around  the  cape,  and  when  we  get  the 
other  men  on  board  we  can  dispose  of  them  very  hand- 
somely." Here  the  conversation  ended  and  the  stolid 
trappers,  not  in  the  least  disconcerted,  made  their  way 
to  their  companions  below  with  a  piece  of  information  that 
was  of  considerable  value. 

A  council  was  called  below  while  the  sailors  were  about 
their  duties  above.  It  was  very  apparent  that  they  were 
in  the  hands  of  a  crew  of  pirates,  and  they  were  to  be  dis- 
posed of  as  soon  as  sufiBcient  reinforcements  were  re- 
ceived to  successfully  attend  to  the  matter.  How  to  get 
out  of  the  difficulty  was  now  the  important  question.  All 
the  circumstances  were  taken  into  a'^count,  and  while  it 
was  generally  agreed,  that  the  capture  and  execution  of  the 
entire  crew  was  no  more   than   dealing  out  justice  to  a 


■^ 


I 


137 

merciless  band  of  villains,  it  was  a  fact  beyond  dispute 
that  a  company  of  landsmen  would  be  in  a  helpless  condi- 
tion in  a  trackless  ocean,  with  no  knowledge  of  navigation 
or  the  management  of  a  ship.  Not  a  man  on  board  could 
climb  a  mast  or  adjust  a  sail,  and  the  remembrances  of  the 
recent  storms  added  to  their  timidity.        ,  .     .. 

xVt  the  end  of  the  conference  it  was  decided  to  surprise 
the  crew  and  take  control  of  the  ship.  A  few  of  the  men 
came  on  deck,  then  a  few  more,  and  in  a  short  time,  with- 
out creating  any  surprise,  the  entire  party  was  in  position. 
The  signal  was  ^ivon,  and  in  an  instant  the  crew  found 
themselves  confronted  by  a  line  of  revolvers  and  a  demand 
to  surrender  at  once.  The  surprise  was  complete,  and  as 
the  crew  was  without  arms  resistance  was  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. The  captain  was  tied  and  taken  to  the  hold  and  the 
ship  was  examined  for  arms.  After  the  vessel  was  thor- 
oughly searched  and  all  the  aruis  were  secured  the  crew 
was  instructed  that  they  were  to  run  into  the  nearest  port, 
n  nd  that  they  would  be  kept  on  one-third  rations  until  the 
same  was  accomplished. 

The  men  were  divided  into  two  detachments,  one  of 
which  was  to  remain  on  guard  while  the  others  were  at 
rest.  A  guard  was  stationed  at  every  point  where  it  was 
thought  any  advantage  could  be  taken.  No  conversation 
was  tolerated  among  the  captives  except  in  the  presence 


■::t 


H 


., 


' 

is 

1 91 

'  Hi 

I      1 

r 

HI 

1 
i 

I 


t   :i 


138 

of  some  member  of  the  company;  in  fact  every  precaution 
was  taken  to  prevent  an  insurrection,  for  well  did  the 
party  know  how  summarily  they  would  be  dealt  with  if 
they  should  be  overpowered. 

After  four  days  of  this  vigilant  and  anxiouc  management 
the  anchor  was  bes;  ved  two  miles  off  Panama.  A  pilot 
came  on  b  ^  and  finding  the  situation  went  back  to 
port.  He  soou  3turned  with  an  officer  and  a  company  of 
soldiers,  wlio  took  charge  of  the  vessel  and  put  a  guard 
over  the  crew,  after  which  the  Americans  were  allowed  to 
go  on  shore.  The  officer  searched  the  ship  and  found  two 
pirate  flags  and  many  other  evidences  of  its  character. 

After  a  stay  of  a  week  in  Panama  they  secured  ponies 
and  a  guide  and  began  the  journej' over  the  pass  to  Aspin- 
wall.  In  the^  early  days  of  travel  across  the  isthmus  the 
only  passage- was  made  by  donkeys,  or  on  foot.  As  years 
have  passed  away  civilization  has  worn  down  I  his  path  as  it 
has  others,  and  finally  laid  down  the  iron  rail  across  this 
rugged  barrier. 

During  the  gold  excitement  in  California  this  route  was 
constantly  traversed  by  the  gold  hunters  on  their  way  to 
and  from  San  Francisco,  and  while  the  distance  is  but  for- 
ty-nine miles,  it  was  in  all  those  early  days  one  of  the 
dreaded  parts  of  the  journey.  Men  died  suddenly  of  dis- 
eases that  were  entirely  unlike  any  they  had  known  before; 


13& 


others  were  murdered  and  robbed,  while  others  worn  out 
and  discouraged  with  a  day's  travel  on  the  rugged  moun- 
tain path  turned  back  and  took  the  chance  of  passage 
round  the  cape  or  reshipped  for  their  homes  in  the  States. 

An  exploit  of  this  kind  however  was  a  matter  of  no 
special  importance  to  men  who  had  spent  a  lifetime  on  the 
frontier,  and  the  company  accomplished  the  journey  with 
no  incidents  of  interest  and  but  little  inconvenience  to 
themselves. 

After  a  delay  of  several  days  at  Aspinwall,  there  seem- 
ing to  be  no  vessels  to  the  West  Indies  or  the  Mississippi, 
it  was  decided  to  go  up  the  Isthmus  to  Mexico.  Prepara- 
tions were  at  once  made  for  the  journey,  and  with  a  gnide 
and  two  horses  each,  the  whole  party  started  for  the  Mex- 
ican frontier.  The  route  taken  was  along  the  border  of 
the  flat  coast  country,  as  this  section  was  much 
healthier  than  the  low  land  close  to  the  sea,  and  also  was 
not  so  diflBcult  to  travel  as  the  route  at  the  foot 
of  the  mountains.  The  roads  were  without  improve- 
ment, and  the  streams  were  all  to  be  forded.  Many  of 
them  were  quite  deep,  and  in  many  places  the  banks  were 
steep  and  rough.  In  many  localities  great  diflBculty  was 
found  in  procuring  food.  The  habits  of  the  people,  their 
way  of  living,  and  all  that  pertained  to  their  culinary  mat- 
ters was  so  distasteful  that  but  little  could  be  procured 


t'i 


11^ 


R" 


V 


i 


il 


I 


f  '' 


m^ 


Ml 


l.„ ' 


li 


140 

from  them  that  was  desirable  in  camp.  A  kid,  a  sheep  or 
a  calf,  was  occasionally  purchased  and  killed,  anfl  some- 
times a  few  inferior  vegetables  procured.  This  constitu- 
ted about  all  that  the  natives  coul'^  afford  that  could  be 
utilized.  Every  ranch  was  supplied  with  milk,  but  the 
filthy  manner  in  which  it  was  cared  for,  was  not  tolerated 
by  those  who  had  enjoyed  the  cleanliness  of  even  a  semi- 
civilization.  » 
One  of  the  annoyances  of  travel  through  this  section 
was  the  political  disturbance  which  soon  after  this  termi- 
nated in  the  overthrow  of  the  government  and  a  reign  of 
anarchy  until  about  1848.  The  people  of  these  states  at 
thi^  time  were  like  those  of  most  Indo-Spanish  countries, 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  the  chief  source  of 
their  wealth 'seemed  to  lie  in  the  immense  herds  of  cattle 
and  horses  that  roamed  at  pleasure  over  the  prairies  and 
in  the  edges  of  the  mountains.  Sheep,  goats  and  hogs 
were  abundant,  but  were  inferior  in  quality  and  poorly 
cared  for. 


,.1.:U 


■■  *  .        .« 


Ul 


fe 


CHAPTER  XIII.  * 

Mexico  and  the  Mexicans — Creoles — Native  Indian  Popu- 
lation— Dress  and  Habits — The  Church — EarlyHistory 
—Founding  the  City  of  Mexico — The  Aztecs — Cortez^ 
—The  Eepublic— Chihuahua— The  "Trail"— Santa  Fe 
— Great  Salt  Lake — Selling  the  Herd — Down  the 
River. 

Passing  on  through  the  lower  states  of  Mexico,  no 
change  is  noticeable,  except  that  the  proportion  of  Indian 
population  seems  to  decrease,  and  the  new  element — The 
Creoles — which  at  this  time  constituted  about  one  sixth  of 
the  entire  population  of  Mexico  and  included  by  far  the 
wealthy  and  most  intelligent  of  the  natives,  many  of  them 
being  remarkable  for  their  beauty.  The  empress  Jose- 
phine of  France,  whose  grand  son,  Louis  Napoleon,  has 
been  so  prominent  in  the  events  of  continental  Europe  as 
Napoleon  III,  was  descended  from  the  same  race.  The 
Indian,  or  native  element,  constituting  about  one  half  the 
population,  are  the  lower  classes ;  and  are  the  common 
laborers,  herders  and  ranchmen.  They  are  ignorant  and 
superstitious  in  the  extreme ;  and,  with  the  single  excep- 
tion of  their  religion,  they  are  precisely  the  same  beinga 


l! 


t  , 


[J;  J 


142 


that  they  were  when  the  cruel  and  daring  Oortez,  with  his 
little  baud  of  Spaniards,  penetrated,  and  terrified  the 
empire. 

They  are  content  to  dwell  in  a  make-shift  of  a  bamboo 
hilt,  scarcely  sufficient  to  hide  them  from  the  passer-by,  and 
hardly  entitled  to  the  name  of  shelter.  He  lives  because 
the  rich  soil  and  salubrious  climate  of  his  native  land, 
make  famine  quite  out  of  the  question,  even  with  the 
indolent  and  wasteful. 

The  wardrt  )e  consists  of  not  more  than  two,  and  some- 
times only  one  garment.  .  l.  skirt  or  covering  for  the  lower 
limbs,  and  a  loose  woolen  cloak,  called  a  scarf,  which  is 
thrown  over  the  shoulders  in  day  time,  and  is  used  for  a 
bed  oover  at  night. 

The  matter  of  food  is  an  item  that  is  of  but  little  mo 
ment,  as  a  family  can  be  bountifully  supplied  with  bananas, 
chili  and  maize,  almost  without  labor,  grown  in  a  little  en- 
closure around  his  hut. 

Each  has  what  he  calls  his  horse,  a  dilapidated  poverty 
stricken  beast,  which  has  the  unrestricted  privilege  of  the 
open  country,  and  is  always  ready  for  use  when  needed. 

Labor  of  all  description  occupies  a  very  small  part  of 
the  time  of  the  native  Indian.  He  drinks,  sleeps,  plays 
upon  his  mandolin  and  occasionally  carries  native  chaplets 
to  deck  the  altar  of  his  village  church. 


143 

The  robberies  and  murders  which  are  committed  with- 
out impunity  along  the  public  road,  and  at  the  very  ;:;:  ites 
of  the  most,  populous  cities,  or  the  riots  and  outbreaks 
which  Keop  this  country  continually  in  the  throes  of  rev- 
olution, and  rapine,  are  passed  in  dreamy  indifference,  are 
at  most  matters  for  conversation  or  the  theme  for  a  ditty. 

In  religion,  however,  he  follows  the  leadership  of  his 
priest  with  blind  cupidity ;  and  the  forms  and  ceremonies 
of  his  church  are  as  enthusiastically  performed  as  were 
the  hideous  orgies  of  his  primeval  worship.  The  mystic 
rights  of  the  Eomish  Church  are  of  a  character  that  at 
once  awe  into  complete  obedience,  the  native  Mexican  in 
his  untrained  and  superstitious  condition  and  right  well 
the  priest  improves  the  vantage  ground. 

Mexico  is  in  many  respects  a  remarkable  country.  It 
was  probably  settled  as  early  as  770,  A.  D.  by  a  tribe  of 
Indians  from  the  Rocky  mountains.  They  located  them- 
selves in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  capitol,  and  for  four 
hundred  years  were  the  undisputed  possessors  of  the 
country,  and  left  some  traces  of  a  rude  civilization. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century  the  Az- 
tecs were  located  in  California,  and  soon  began  to  drift 
southward  to  the  more  congenial  latitudes;  and  in  1325 
founded  their  capitol  in  the  valley  of  Lake  Tezcuco,  at  an 
elevation  of  more  than  7000  feet  above  the  sea  level,  and 


ii' 


f  I;    '  i  I 


•■  1 1 


b  I 


i  \ 


144 

named  the  new  city  Mexico,  in  honor  of  Mexitili,  their  war 

rod. 

Two  hundred  years  later  Cortez  conquered  the  country 
in  the  name  of  Spain,  and  for  three  hundred  years  the 
Spanish  standard  floated  over  the  i)alaces  of  the  Monte- 
zumas.  Then  came  the  establishment  of  the  Republic,  a 
government  so  weak  that  it  has  seemed  on  the  very  verge 
of  dissolution  ever  since  its  formation.  Thus  a  country 
possessed  of  a  soil  and  climate  not  excelled  on  any  part 
of  the  globe,  with  mineral  wealth  unlimited,  on  the  great 
international  thoroughfare  of  commerce,  yet  from  the  fact 
of  being  badly  governed,  is  without  influence  or  strength 
at  home  or  abroad.  And  when  a  war  was  declared  only  a 
few  years  later,  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  it 
required  but  little  sagacity  on  the  part  of  an  observing 
traveler  to  foresee  the  result. 

After  a  brief  sojourn  in  and  about  the  capitol  the  party 
moved  on  northward,  after  a  long  tiresome  journey  to 
Chihuahua.  Here  it  was  learned  that  ponies  could  be  ob- 
tained for  two  dollars  each,  and  the  whole  party  invested 
and  started  with  a  drove  for  the  great  basin.  Chihuahua 
was  at  one  time  one  of  the  gi'eat  cities  of  the  continent, 
and  had  a  population  of  70,000.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
ninteenth  century  it  is  said  to  have  been  as  large  as  New 
York  and  Brooklyn  together,  but  at  this  time  it  had  dwin- 


345 

died  to  a  town  of  30,000.  The  streets  ar6  laid  off  at  right 
angles,  and  the  buildings  are  many  of  them  elegant  and 
massive.  The  most  imposing  building  in  the  dty  is  the 
cathedral,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,000,  the  most  of 
which  was  collected  as  duty  on  the  mines  in  the  state. 
Although  the  country  around  Chihuahua  has  the  richest 
soil  and  a  delightful  climate,  making  it  capable  of  unlimit- 
ed agricultural  production,  that  branch  of  industry  is  in  a 
most  undeveloped  condition. 

A  lapse  of  forty  years,  with  the  advent  of  railroads  and 
improved  machinery,  has  made  great  developments  in 
every  line  of  enterprise  in  northern  Mexico,  as  well  as  the 
far  southwest  of  our  own  country,  but  at  the  date  of  this 
visit,  the  farmer  of  the  Upper  Eio  Grande  was  about  as 
much  cf  an  agriculturalist  as  were  the  Indians  of  our  At- 
lantic seaboards  in  the  time  of  Columbus. 

Leaving  Chihuahua  with  two  hundred  ponies  for  Utah, 
a  journey  of  twelve  hundred  miles,  was  an  undertaking  of 
no  small  moment. 

The  old  trail  from  Chihuahua  to  Santa  Fe  was  at  this 
time  the  great  thoroughfare  of  the  frontier,  and  .ike  most 
routes  of  its  character,  was  a  continuous  line  of  skele- 
tons, broken  down  vehicles  and  general  wreck  of  the  travel 
of  the  plains.  Here  we  met  the  great  "freighting"  wagon 
with  its  high  bows  and  soiled  ducking  cover,  drawn  by 


i 


■'*! 


^i 


■I 


nk 


[1  *  ■ 


V' 


i 


M% 


1 
if 


1 


■I 

'I 

I 

li 


146 

•eight  or  ten  yr^e  of  oxvii,  all  under  the  care  of  a  single 
teamster,  vrho  not  oniy  directs  the  movements  of  the  team 
through  its  snail-like  journey  of  the  day,  but  as  night 
comes  on,  becomes  the  herder  of  the  stock'as  it  is  libera- 
ted and  allowed  to  feed  by  the  side  of  the  trail.  Some- 
times several  trains  are  taken  along  in  companies;  then 
the  stock  is  all  herded  together  at  night  and  the  men  are 
fed  in  a  mebs,  while  the  wagons  are  placed  in  a  circle  in 
which  the  cattle  can  be  enclosed. 

Again  we  meet  the  emigrant  wagon  with  its  occupants 
of  men,  women  and  children,  with  its  coop  of  chickens 
suspended  in  the  rear,  numerous  implements  of  husband' 
attached  to  the  sides  of  the  wagon,  and  the  usual  comp^^ 
meut  of  dogs  keeping  in  close  proximity  to  their  nomadic 
habitations.  The  wagon  is  sometimes  drawn  by  oxen, 
sometimes  by  two  or  four  mules,  but  not  unfrequeutly  by 
a  ,7oke  of  cows,  or  a  cow  and  a  horse.  Again,  a  traveler 
has  loaded  all  his  effects  upon  a  pony  and  walks  happily 
by  the  side  of  his  beast,  very  much  after  the  style  of  the 

Arab  with  his  camel. 

« 

The  most  novel  outlit  which  the  travelers  met,  however 
was  two  young  men  with  their  effects  on  a  cart,  furnishing 
the  propeiiing  power  themselves.    They  had  traveled  over 
a  thousand  miles,  and  were  in  a  better  condition  than  many 
of  the  mules  and  oxen  that  had  traveled  only  half  so  far. 


U7 

Santa  Fe,  while  it  is  the  oldest  town  on  the  continent 
except  one,  is  in  some  particuLars  a  place  of  much  inter- 
est, but  as  so  much  has  been  before  the  public  in  regard 
to  it  through  the  press  it  will  not  be  best  to  weary  the 
reader  with  it  here. 

The  same  one-story  adobe  houses,  with  the  flat  roof,  the 
same  irregular  streets  that  we  find  to-day,  with  the  marks 
of  45  years  still  exist.  The  population  consisted  at  this  time 
of  the  native  Spaniards  and  Indians  and  their  amalgamated 
progeny;  having  but  seven  hundred  native  citizens  of  the 
United  States  in  the  territory.  It  wus  estimated  that  but 
one  out  of  a  hundred  could  read. 

After  a  short  stay  at  Santa  Fe  the  company  moved  on 
toward  Great  Salt  Lake.  The  route  was  not  so  well  trav- 
eled as  those  before  reaching  Santa  Fe,  and  was  corttinu- 
ally  beset  with  dangers. 

At  the  end  of  this -journey  the  herd  was  sold  to  an  agent 
of  the  American  Fur  Company,  and  our  adventurers  made 
their  way  with  such  baggage  as  they  could  carry  to  the  head 

waters  of  the  Yellowstone.     Here  they  made  bark  canoes, 

in  which  they  went  down  the  river  to  Fort  Buford,  thence 

down  the  Missouri  to  St.  Joseph, 

Thus  ended  a  long  and  eventful  journey  of  over  seven  thou- 
sand miles,  more  than  half  of  which  was  made  overland  and 


If 


M\m 


III! 


I 


,,i'. 
j 


f4 


si 


I  ■; 


t. 


4' 


148 


11  ill! 


much  of  it  through  a  half  civilized  and  badly  governed 
country. 

Mrs.  Welton,  with  whom  Joe  boarded  while  at  St.  Jo- 
seph, and  whose  extreme  kindness  had  so  endeared  her 
to  him  that  she  seemed  to  till  the  place  of  his  mother, 
whom  he  still  mourned  with  reverent  love ;  often  took 
occasion  to  admonish  him  to  fix  upon  some  definite  plan 
in  life's  work,  urging  upon  him  the  necessity  of  fixedness 
of  purpose  and  strict  principles  as  an  anchor  in  life.  She 
had  herself  felt  the  bitter  pangs  of  the  loss  of  a  son  who 
in  more  thoughtful  moments  assured  his  mother  that 
somewhere  in  the  indefinite  future  he  would  bcicome  more 
to  her  liking,  bat  in  one  hour  from  the  time  of  leaving  her 
side  he  met  his  death  in  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Missouri ; 
the  shock  well  nigh  bereft  Mrs.  Welton  of  her  reason v 
and  when  Joe  camo  to  make  his  home  with  her  she  saw 
in  the  bright  fun-loving  young  man  so  much  that  remind- 
ed her  of  her  own  son  that  she  naturally  slipped  into  a 
mother's  place  to  him.  Joe  like  inany  others  in  the  ex- 
uberance of  animal  spirits,  gave  himself  over  with 
hearty  abandon  to  the  less  practical  things  in  life,  and  it 
is  well  that  in  the  human  heart  is  planted  that  germ  which 
buds  and  blossoms  into  laughter,  song,  and  cheerful  words, 
for  'when  properly  held  in  check  it  blinds  the  ©ye  to  re- 
volting Bights,  deafens  the  ear  to  unjust  and  cruel  censure 


' 


149 


r 
re- 


aud  covers  the  thorns  amid  our  path  with  roses,  but  the 
danger  is,  that  the  participant  plunge  too  deeply  into  pleas- 
ures, while  God  did  not  design  that  we  should  pharisai- 
oally  disfigure  our  faces  into  solemn  grim  fixedness,  neither 
<lid  He  intend  that  we  so  prodigally  use  his  gifts  of  glad- 
ness and  cheer  as  to  become  frivolous  and  utterly 
thoughtless.  In  nature  everything  is  beautiful,  and  if  it 
be  right  that  God  pencil  the  lily  with  exquisite  touch, 
laden  the  rose  with  sweetest  perfume,  and  cover  the 
songster  with  royal  colored  plumage,  should  not  His 
thinking  creatures  exercise  their  reason  to  beautify  the 
hvmian  form  with  symmetrical  covering,  enrich  the  mind 
with  gems  of  thought  and  the  heart  with  a  well  spring  of 
purity  which  will  send  out  good  deeds,  ennob- 
ling thoughts  and  inspiring  counsel  to  weaker  ones  with 
burdened  hearts,  and  weary  feet,  and  inspire  them  to  come 
onto  a  higher  plane  of  life. 

When  Joe  was  making  preparations  for  his  departure 
for  the  west,  a  letter  reached  him  containing  the  announce- 
ment of  the  marriage  of  Anna  Dripp«ir,  which  somewhat 
disconcerted  him  for  a  time,  but  being  of  a  nature  which 
could  not  long  entertain  sadness,  he  put  away  this  tender 
sentiment  which  he  had  cherished,  and,  although  it  left 
a  regretful  feeling,  he  knew  that  a  few  sterotyped, 
legalized   words  had  placed    a    barrier   between   them, 


m'^ii 


150 


1!!:^ 


and  honor  forbade  him  to  look  upon  her  longer,  only  as  a 
friend. 

At  so  early  a  time,  the  facilitiee  for  conveying  mail  were 
limited;  being  carried,  in  part  by  pony  express,  and  by 
stage  line.  Anna  had  written  two  letters  to  Joe  while  on 
the  Columbia  river,  which  had  not  reached  him,  from  the 
fact  that  he  had  left  there  before  their  arrival ;  and  when 
they  did  tinally  reach  him,  nearly  two  years  had  elapsed 
since  they  had  been  written,  and  that  was  the  reason  she 
assigned  for  her  marriage,  supposing  him  to  be  dead,  as. 
she  had  heard  nothing  for  so  long  a  time. 

As  he  was  about  to  go  out  into  the  almost  unexplored 
"Beyond  the  Mississippi,"  he  laughingly  told  Mrs.  Welton 
that  she  would  not  know  him  upon  his  return,  and  that 
he  would  leave  in  her  keeping,  his  watch,  trunk,  and  other 
articles,  which  he  did  not  need  on  his  journey ;  hardly 
thinking  that  his  assertion  would  be  verified,  for  she  as- 
sured him  that  she  would  know  him  anywhere  and  under 
any  circumstances.  When  he  did  return,  many  years 
after,  with  one,  Charles  Carovia,  he  came  disguised  as  an 
Indian  Chief,  and  in  consequence  Mrs.  Welton  did  not 
recognize  him. 

While  sitting  at  the  table  he  awkwardly  spilled  his  soup 
upon  the  clean  table  linen,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  the 
lady,  who  was  proverbial  for  her  cleanliness  and  systematic 


151 

housewifely  qualities.  Her  husband  looked  sharply  at  the 
young  Indian,  and  exchanged  intelligent  glances  with  Mr. 
Carovia ;  a  gleam  of  fun  lit  up  his  face,  to  see  the  curious 
mixture  of  fear  and  disgust  with  which  his  wife  regarded 
the  intruder,  who  did  certainly  present  a  novel  and  semi- 
barbarous  appearance  with  his  painted  face  and  long  black 
hdr.  After  the  trying  meal  was  over,  the  young  chief 
was  introduced  to  the  hostess  as  her  old  friend  Joe.  Two 
ladies  of  former  ac<iuaintance  came  in,  and  not  a  little  dis- 
concerted he  recieived  them  in  aboriginal  costume.  One 
of  the  ladies,  having  as  a  esult  of  recent  illness  lost  tl:e 
natural  covering  for  the  head,  accepted  the  proffered  jet 
black  curls  of  Joe  as  a  chignon,  of  which  he  was  shorn., 
and  under  a  skillful  hairdresst*  ;  she  boabted  a  beautiful 
coiffure.  , 


,1 


si 

|4 


'1 
I 


'.   I 


J- 


i\ 


!  i 

u 


m 


1    ;•  ■ 


162 


CHAPTER  XIV.         .    . 

Prophetic  Words  of  an  English  Poet — Mormons— Feigned 
Miracle — Death  of  Joseph  Smith — Edna  Hinman— 
Brigham  Young — Doctrines  of  the  Saints. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  leave  our  wanderers  for  a  time, 
and  as  a  prelude  to  the  subject  matter  with  which  we  shall 
deal  in  the  future,  introduce  the  following  from  the  pen  of 
an  English  writer : 

"  The  next  Aaron  Burr  who  seeks  to  carve  a  kingdom 
out  of  the  overgrown  territories  of  the  Union  may  discern 
that  fanaticism  is  the  most  effective  weapon  with  which  am- 
bition can  arm  itself;  that  the  way  for  both  is  prepared  by 
that  immorality  which  the  want  of  religion  naturally  and 
aiecessarily  induces. 

Were  there  another  Mohammed  to  arise,  there  is  no 
part  of  the  world  where  he  would  lind  more  scope,  or 
fairer,  than  in  that  part  of  the  Anglo-American  Union, 
into  which  the  older  States  continually  discharge  the  rest- 
less part  of  their  population,  leaving  laws  and  Gospel  to 
overtake  it  if  they  can,  for  in  the  march  of  modern  civili- 
zation both  are  left  behind." 

This  English  poet  uttered  these  sentiments  long  before 


153 

MormoniBm  was  known,  and  while  we  cannot  fully  indorse 
the  fling  at  American  immorality,  his  words  as  to  the  re- 
mainder have  seemed  to  prove  almost  propnetic. 

About  the  year  1839  a  tract  of  land  was  granted  to  the 
Prophet  Smith,  at  Commerce,  Illinois,  afterwards  called 
Nauvoo,  which  was  sold  to  his  followers  who  settled  there. 

The  lives  of  these  people  had  been  of  such  a  revolting 
nature,  and  the  murder  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Boggs,  of 
Missouri,  at  their  hands  had  exasperated  the  people  to 
such  an  extent  that  it  was  no  longer  safe  for  them  to  re- 
main. Governor  Ford,  of  Illinois,  induced  Smith  and  his 
brother  to  give  up  their  arms,  and  sent  them  to  Carthage 
as  prisoners. 

Their  friends  pleaded  that  they  did  not  want  them  con- 
fined in  cells,  and  accordingly  they  were  allowed  to  occu- 
py  the  debtor's  room,  protected  by  guards. 

But  public  sentiment  had  reached  such  a  climax  of  con- 
tempt and  hate,  that  it  gave  vent  to  its  feelings  in  the  form 
of  a  mob,  consisting  of  great  numbers,  disguised  and 
painted,  taking  the  law  into  its  own  hands  and  speedily 
put  an  end  to  the  matter  by  killing  both  Joseph  and  Hi- 
ram Smith. 

.  Great  consternation  followed  the  death  of  the  Prophet, 
but  the  election  of  Brigham  Young  shortly  after  as  their 
leader,  brought  order  out  of  chaos. 


Ml 


if 

if- 
w 

w 


1  ■!• 


N 


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I 


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i'i 


ill 


154 

Mr.  Lyman  Hinman,  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  em- 
braced Christianity  early,  and  became  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  afterwards,  with  his  family,  was  con- 
verted to  the  Mormon  faith  and  was  with  them  at  Nauvoo 
and  also  at  Carthage.  His  young-  daughter  distinctly  re- 
members the  death  of  Smith.  After  a  few  years  she  be- 
came the  wife  of  the  subject  of  our  narrative. 

An  instance  related  to  her  husband  is  worthy  of  note. 
A  widow  residing  in  Nauvoo,  a  Gentile,  had  an  attrac- 
tive young  daughter  who  was  sought  in  marriage  by  one 
of  the  Mormons.  The  mother  consented  to  the  proposal 
on  condition  that  he  should  transfer  to  her  a  brick  resi- 
dence and  the  ground  on  which  it  stood,  which  was  ac- 
cordingly done,  leavi!)g  the  avaricious  woman  the  owner 
of  a  little  of  this  worlds  goods,  and  on  the  other  hand  the 
man  the  possessor  of  the  poor  girl,  who  eventually  be- 
came one  of  a  number  of  wives. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  speaking  at  length  upon  a  subject 
which  for  years  has  disturbed  my  equanimity  to  such  a  de- 
gree, that  words  are  not  adequate  to  express  my  feelings 
upon  a  subject  which  has  entailed  so  much  misery  upon  my 
own  sex. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  this  sect,  while  residing 
at  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  bore  a  very  unenviable  reputation  for 
his  idleness,  intemperance,  dishonesty  and  other  immoral- 


155 


Ities.  Having  received  little  or  no  education,  iie  was  ex- 
ceedingly illiterate,  and  any  work  purporting  to  be  from 
his  pen  is  simply  a  fraud,  and  merely  the  production  of 
some  other  author.  He  claimed  to  have  been  religiously 
awakened  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  the  Angel 
Morani  revealing  to  him  that  he  should  become  a  spiritual 
leader;  at  different  times  having  remarkable  visions,  pre- 
tending at  these  periods  to  receive  inspiration,  even  claim 
ing  to  be  endowed  with  power  to  perform  miracles,  such 
as  bringing  the  dead  to  life,  and  at  one  time  he  did  seem 
to  do  so,  which  his  deluded  followers  accepted  without 
further  investigation,  and  ascribed  to  him  powers  almost 
equal  to  one  divine. 

But  little  had  been  known  previous  to  this  time  of  ani- 
mal magnetism,  and  those  who  exercised  mesmeric  influ- 
ences were  looked  upon  by  many  as  something  more  than 
human. 

Smith's  frequent  declarations  that  he  could  heal  the  halt 
and  blind,  and  breathe  life  into  the  inanimate  form  of  the 
dead,  had  up  to  this  time  not  been  practically  illustrated^ 
Some  of  the  more  thoughtful  of  his  followers  became  sus- 
picious of  his  ability  to  do  so,  and  urged  upon  him  the  ne- 
ce^isity  of  making  good  his  promises.  Thus  pressed, 
Smith,  with  his  usual  cunning  and  deceit,  planned  a  way 
ou*  of  the  difficulty. 


.JliO 


156 

A  beautifal  young  girl,  a  daughter  of  one  of  his  con- 
verts,  had  at  different  times  when  alone  with  the  Prophet 
become  aware  of  a  certain  nnexplainable  feeling  of  quietly 
sinking  away,  and  upon  restoration  to  consciousness  Smith 
was  always  at  her  side.  After  having  robbed  her  of  her 
purity,  the  base  impostor  told  her  that  it  had  been  reveal- 
ed to  him  that  she  must  die.  The  girl  had  been  convales- 
cing from  recent  illness,  and  it  seemed  a  very  propitious 
time  to  prove  to  his  followers  his  miraculous  gifts.  The 
Prophet  was  at  her  bedside,  and  she  really  did  appear  to 
breathe  her  last,  her  parents  mourning  her  loss  with  many 
outward  signs  of  grief,  but  were  comforted  by  his  assu- 
rance that  she  should  be  restored  to  them. 

At  the  time  appointed  a  large  assemblage  gathered,  and 
after  the  usual  rites  the  body  of  the  young  girl  was 
brought  in,  to  every  appearance  dead. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  an  eye  witness  : 
"Whose  child  is  this  f  said  Smith. 
"Mine,"  answered  one  of  the  men. 
"Did  she  die  suddenly  ?"  . 

"She  did." 
"When." 

"This  afternoon." 
"Believest  thou  r 

"I  believe,"  said  the  man,  impressively ;  "help  thou  my 
unbelief." 


157 


"Did  this  child  believe  r 

"She  was  a  believer." 

"  'Tis  well;  thy  child  shall  be  restored."  ■     , 

While  the  audience  was  engaged  in  singing,  Smith 
pressed  and  stroked  the  head,  breathed  into  the  mouth, 
and  rubbed  the  limbs  of  the  girl,  saying,  "live  thou."  Grad- 
ually breathing  became  apparent,  and  finally  the  girl  sat 
erect,  and  was  soon  walking  about.  Through  false  repre- 
sentations he  had  convinced  his  followers  that  he  had  per- 
formed a  miracle  when  he  had  really  only  used  his  mes' 
meric  powers. 

It  is  authentically  stated  that  the  Mormon  Bible  had  its 
origin  in  the  following  manner :  Rev.  Solomon  Spaulding 
becoming  financially  embarrassed,  and  as  a  means  of  liq- 
uidation of  debt,  wrote  for  publication  a  book  of  romance, 
interspersed  with  historical  facts,  pertaining  to  the  early 
settlement  of  America,  and  sent  it  to  a  publishing  house 
in  Philadelphia.  Shortly  after,  the  author  died,  the  manu- 
script remaining  in  the  printing  office  in  which  Bigdon  was 
employed,  and  who  afterward  became  a  leading  Mormon, 
and  it  is  supposed  he  took  the  original,  making  such 
changes  as  inserting  portions  of  scripture.  Aside  from 
that,  it  bears  the  impress  of  the  copy  sent  by  the  clerg>^- 
man  before  referred  to  for  print. 

Smith's  successor,  while  he  could  not  exceed  him  in 


<.ki 


V'l; 


in  morality,  was  his  superior  intellectually ;  he  is  dep^.ribed 
as  being  somewhat  prepossessing  in  appearance,  and  with 
an  indomitable  will,  impressing  strangers  with  his  power. 

While  his  reputation,  before  becoming  a  Mormon,  was 
no  worse  than  that  of  Smith,  it  was  no  better. 

This  article,  copied  from  one  of  our  iirst  authors,  shows 
conclusively,  the  character  of  Young.  He  says,  in  speak- 
ing of  Smith :  "The  doctrine  he  teaches  is  all  I  know 
about  the  matter.  Bring  anything  against  that  if  you  can  ? 
As  to  anything  else,  I  do  not  care  if  he  acts  like  a  devil; 
he  has  brought  forth  a  doctrine  that  will  save  us  if  we 
will  only  abide  by  it.  He  may  get  drunk  every  day  in  the 
week,  take  his  neighbors  wife  for  his  own,  run  horses  and 
gamble  ;  I  do  not  care  anything  about   that,  for  I  never 

embrace  any  man  in  my  faith." 

As  an  American  citizen  and  a  women,  my  cheek  mantles 

with  shame,  that  a  sect  taking  as  its  leader,  a  man  of  ho 

thoroughly  immoral, indecent  and  lawless  a  character  as  to 

emit  from  his  vile   lips,  sentiments  so  degrading,   should 

ever  have  polluted  the    American   soil  with  its  presence. 

And  if  not  rooted  out   by  legislation,   or   otherwise,   the 

harm  it  may   do   cannot   be   estimated.     Eigdon   evinced 

the  same  utter  disregard  for  the  right  which  was  breathed 

forth  in  these  words,  but,  more  in  the  form   of  a  threat. 

In  a  sermon  preached  by  him,  he  says:     We  take  God  and 


159 


the  Holy  Angels  to  witness,  that  we  warn  all  men,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  come  on  us,  no  more  forever. 
The  man,  or  set  of  men,  who  attempt  it,  do  it  at  the  ex- 
pense of  their  lives.  And  that  mob  that  comes  on  us  to 
disturb  us,  it  shall  be  between  them  and  us,  a  war  of  ex- 
termination, for  we  will  follow  them  till  the  last  <^rop  of 
blood  is  spilled,  or  else  they  will  have  to  exterminate  us. 
We  will  carry  the  seat  of  war  to  their  own  houses  and 
their  own  families,  and  one  party  or  the  other  shall  be 
utterly  destroyed." 

It  has  always  been  a  matter  of  surprise,  that  Millard 
Fillmore,  then  the  chief  executive  of  the  United  States 
flhould  have  appointed  Brigam  Young  governor  of  the 
territory  of  Utah.  Could  he  have  fully  understood  the 
principles  by  which  ho  was  actuated,  and  the  immense  evil 
he  was  capable  of  doing,  not  only  as  a  polygamist,  but  in 
promulgating  the  doctrines  which  guided  their  church, 
the  appointment,  would,  in  all  probability',  never  have 
been  made.  He,  persistently,  up  to  the  time  of  bis 
death,  even  defied  the  government.  And,  although 
polygamy  is  prohibited,  under  his  reign  it  assumed  im- 
mense proportions,  bringing  untold  anguish  of  heart  to 
numberless  women,  whose  intuitions,  monitor  like,  tell 
them  of  its  injustice  and  wrong,  but  women,  as  a  class, 
from  time  immemorial,  have  been  wont   to   accept  the 


\V    ! 


),-f  I 


^ 


160 


Btatements  of  men  as  correct,  and  have  aBcribed  to  them 
Buperior  knowledge,  when  if  they  would  improve  their 
God  given  powers  of  thought  and  reason,  they  would  not 
allow  their  eyes  to  be  blinded  to  facts  so  startling  as  those 
connected  with  this  infamous  practice.  They  teach  to 
their  people  that  polygamy  is  of  Divine  origin.  Cloaking 
their  unholy  teachings  under  a  show  of  religeous  sentiment. 
Would  that  they  were  the  only  Iscariots  wearing  garments, 
which  they  vainly  imagine,  cover  from  the  eyes  of  the 
world,  their  true  intent  and  character. 


161 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

The   Exit — Murmurs  —  The  Baffled  Father — Vows  —  A 

i 

Wedding. 

It  was  now  considered  expedient  by  the  Mormons  to 
emigrate  to  the  "Promised  Land" — Brigham  Young  as- 
suming to  hold  the  same  relations  to  them  that  Moses  did 
to  the  children  of  Israel. 

They  started  out  with  high  hopes,  as  the  land  in  the  dis- 
tance seemed  fair,  the  waters  sweet  and  the  pastures 
green. 

The  saints  had  been  but  a  few  dajs  on  the  road  when 
they  were  overtaken  by  officers  and  four  of  the  leaders 
arrested  and  taken  back,  which  created  not  a  little  excite- 
ment among  those  left  behind.  One  of  the  number  was 
Mr.  Hinman;  another,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Emmet,  who 
made  loud  pretensions  as  to  his  peculiarly  holy  life,  and 
claimed  to  be  endowed  with  the  gift  of  interpretation  of 
tongues,  healing,  seeing  visions,  &c.,  who,  when  hotly  pur- 
sued by  the  officials  took  refuge  under  abed,  bat  was  soon 
discovered  and  taken  with  the  rest  to  be  tried  for  some 
depredations  supposed  to  have  been  committed  by  the 
Mormons;  but  as  sufficient  proof  of  guilt  was  not  estab- 


',<. 


i:  : 


i] 


1 1 
'ill 


162 

lished  tkey  were  released  after  a  few  days  and  returned  to 
the  anxious,  waiting  travelers. 

Crossing  the  Mississippi  in  m^d- winter,  most  of  the  com- 
pany being  unused  to  the  privations  attendant  on  an  over- 
land trip,  and  unfitted  for  its  exposures,  many  sickened 
and  died.  The  cold  became  so  extreme  they  were  com- 
pelled to  halt  and  seek  a  suitable  place  where  they  might 
rest  themselves  and  recruit  their  already  exhausted  horses. 
They  wandered  on  and  on,  hoping  to  find  a  sheltered  spot 
in  which  to  spend  the  winter.  Many  murmurs  began  to  be 
heard,  and  insinuations  as  to  the  inability  of  Young  to  be 
a  leader  of  the  people. 

They  finally  discovered  that  they  were  lost,  and  all  the 
revelations  which  the  Prophet  c^aijued  to  have,  predicting 
a  bright  future  and  speedy  relief  from  present  want,  failed 
to  quiet  their  complaints. 

Captain  Eocky,  after  leaving  St.  Joseph,  in  company 
^\ith  others,  took  a  herd  of  horses  to  Fort  Vermilion  with 
a  view  to  trading  for  furs  and  buffalo  robes. 

One  of  the  company  from  the  fort  went  out  for  some 
game  and  found  a  party  of  emigrants  in  a  needy  conditicn, 
being  poorly  supplied  with  clothing  and  food.  They  were 
brought  to  the  fort  and  present  wants  supplied.  x\fter  a 
time  tiiey  were  found  to  be  the   company  of  Mormons 


163 


whicli  had  been  lost.  The  Gentiles  were  surprised  to 
learn  how  completely  their  leader  controlled  them,  and  in 
-conversation  with  them,  found  out  something  of  their  pe- 
culiar belief.  Among  other  things,  they  claimed  that  the 
husband  was  saved  by  faith,  and  the  wife  saved  through 
the  husband;  but  very  little  was  known  of  their  true  be- 
lief, and  they  became  objects  of  considerable  curiosity. 

After  the  Prophet  and  his  followers  had  reached  a  place 
of  present  security,  and  real  want  and  serious  privations 
no  longer  confronted  them,  faith  in  their  President  seemed 
to  be  restored;  forgetting  that  the  Prophet  had  failed  to  ac- 
complish his  part  in  leading  them  to  the  Jordan  by  his  sa- 
gacity and  faith.  When  questioned  too  closely,  he  always 
shielded  himself  by  saying  that  the  people  lacked  the  faith 
required,  and,  in  consequence,  he  could  not  perform  the 
acts  which  he  could  have  done  had  his  followers  been 
imbued  with  the  requisite  amount  of  faith.  He  was 
too  wily  to  assume  to  perform  miracles  as  his  predecessor 
nad  done,  but  could  far  overreach  him  in  cruelty,  as  will 
be  seen  later  by  reference  to  a  work  written  by  the  wife 
of  a  Mormon. 

Next  in  power  to  the  Presidency,  which  consists  of  the 
president  and  two  counsellors,  is  the  Apostolic  College, 
consisting  of  twelve  apostles,  forming  a  sort  of  church 
council;  next  come  the  high  priests,  who,  with  the  elders. 


m^M 


U  M 


m 


S*)?    A! 


/ 


;>i 


I- 


r 


164 


li'    ! 


i'i] 


m 


enforce  the  laws  of  the  church;  this  body  being  divided 
into  divisions  called  seventies,  keeping  on  their  books  a 
record  of  the  lineage  of  each  member. 

Edna  Hinman  had  been  promised  by  her  parents  when 
becoming  of  marriageable  age  as  the  wife  of  one  of  the 
twelve.  The  girPs  natural  feelings  prompted  her  to  shrink 
from  a  union  with  one  whom  she  only  feared,  and  had  been 
taught  to  respect  his  position,  but  felt  an  instinctive  re- 
pugnance for  him. 

The  delicate  young  girl  often  pictured  for  herself  a  dif- 
ferent future,  but  only  ended  her  day  dreams  with  a  re- 
gretful sigh,  wondering  in  her  girlish  innocence  if  in 
heaven  girls  would  be  permitted  to  choose  companions 
for  themselves,  and  if  there,  but  ore  wife  was  allowed.  She 
thoughf  if  that  were  so  it  would  be  heaven  indeed. 

A  vague  unrest  took  possession  of  her,  as  she  remem- 
bered as  in  a  dream  the  far  off  New  England  home,  and 
wondered  why  they  had  left  it,  where  it  seemed  to  her 
they  had  been  so  happy,  as  nightly  she  knelt  at  her  moth- 
er's knee  and  prayed  to  be  forgiven. 


"Oh  God!  if  nouls  unsolled  as  these 
Need  daily  mercy  from  thy  throne, 
If  she,  with  those  soft  eyes  In  tears, 
Must  kneel  and  pray  for  grace  from  Thee, 
What  far,  far  deeper  need  have  we  ? 
How  hardly,  if  ahe  win  not  heaven, 
Will  our  wild  errors  be  forgiven  1" 


165 

As  the  time  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  promise  given  by 
the  parents  was  drawing  near,  the  daughter,  in  frequent 
-conversations  with  the  mother,  said,  "I  do  not  love  this 
man  whom  you  wish  me  to  marry.  Is  it  right  for  me  to 
enter  the  marriage  relation  with  this  feeling?  Did  you 
not  love  father,  and  did  you  marry  the  choice  of  your  pa- 
rents instead  of  your  own  !  And,  mother,  it  cannot  be 
right  for  a  woman  to  become  the  wife  of  a  man  already 
having  one." 

While  the  mother's  heart  echoed  the  sentiments  of  the 
daughter,  she  crushed  out  the  purer,  better  part  of  her  na- 
ture— just  as  we  sometimes  see  the  sweet,  white  blossom 
trampled  in  the  dust — and  with  practical  straightforward- 
ness— for  sentiment  is  not  admissible  among  the  Mor- 
mons— she  sought  to  reconcile  her  daughter  to  her  fate, 
saying  that  the  upbuilding  of  the  church  demanded  it,  and 
that  in  her  union  with  a  8\  iritual  leader,  she,  through  him, 
would  be  saved;  such  interviews  ending  in  Edna  remain- 
ing unconvinced  and  the  mother's  increased  tenderness 
toward  her  daughter,  as  a  sort  of  quietus  on  her  con- 
science; for  all  along,  had  Mrs.  Hinman  allowed  a  true  and 
thorough  analysis  of  her  feelings,  she  would  have  looked 
upon  the  Mormon  leaders  and  their  doctrines  as  illogical 
and  base.  But  like  many  other  people,  she  swallowed  the 
sugar-coated  pill  compounded  by  some  would-be  gospel- 


Hi   111! 


;■! 
ill 


1 1 


111'    \u\ 


lil, 


l! 


«    i  > 


<  l 


i! 
1 


Wi 


I 
iif 


Bi  ' 


166 

V 

vender.      Sad  to  Bay,  there  are  too  many  Mrs.  Hinman's. 

Thanks  to  the  rigid  Puritan  training  which  Mr.  Hinman 
had  received  in  his  youth,  during  his  stay  with  the  Mor- 
mons he  remembered  the  vows  made  to  his  faithful  wife 
and  never  brought  to  his  fireside  another  companion. 

The  "Frenchman" — as  the  captain  was  familiarly  known — 
had  first  noticed  the  slight  girlish  figure  of  Edna  seated 
near  one  of  the  wagons,  and  by  some  mysterious  sympa- 
thy was  attracted  toward  her.  Finding  through  the  loqua- 
ciousness of  01  e  of  the  Mormon  women  something  of  her 
history,  and  with  his  native  impulsiveness  he  went  directly 
to  her  and  commenced  advances  to  vard  an  acquaintance^ 
The  young  girl  received  his  attentions  with  some  surprise^ 
but  not  with  displeasure.  He  became  so  pleased  with  her 
childish  confidence  in  him  that  he  made  a  proposal  of 
marriage,  consenting  to  wait  one  week  for  a  decision.  The 
acquiescence  of  the  girl  was  easily  won,  but  the  parents 
must  be  consulted.  Edna  informed  them  of  the  unex- 
pected interview  with  the  attractive  Frenchman,  its  na- 
ture, and  her. consent.  The  father  angrily  refused  any 
union  outside  of  the  Church.  The  mother  being  expected 
to  make  at  least  a  show  of  aiding  the  father's  authority, 
pleaded  the  short  acquaintance  which  she  had  with  him. 
Edna  claimed  that  marriage  on  short  acquaintance  with  a 
man  having  no  wife  was  not  so  hazardous  a2  with  one  of 


' 


167 


longer  acquaintance  having  a  plurality  of  wives.  The  in- 
tense look  of  suffering  on  the  fair  face  of  the  young  girl 
when  saying  this  found  an  answering  chord  in  the  mothers 
heail,  and  she  remained  silent.  That  this  silence  boded 
no  good  to  the  plans  of  the  father  will  be  seen. 

The  daughter,  encouraged  by  the  mother's  inaction  in 
the  matter,  when  urged  by  her  father  to  relinquish  all 
thought  of  uniting  herself  to  a  gentile,  said,  "Father,  give 
me  your  blessing  on  this  marriage,  for  I  can  never  consent 
to  be  the  wife  of  a  polygamist.  If  need  be,  I  can  go  out 
from  among  you  with  the  husband  of  my  choice,  but  the 
thoughts  of  a  union  with  this  Apostle  is  worse  to  me  than 
death." 

The  father,  for  a  time  baffled  but  not  entirely  discoiir 
aged,  began  to  arrange  his  manner  of  attack. 

Another  force  was  at  work  in  the  interests  of  the  young 
people.  A  friend  both  of  Edna  and  "the  Frenchman,"  as 
well  as  the  parents,  became  an  unwilling  listener  to  their 
conversation. 

The  young  girl  giving  her  suitor  an  account  of  the  inter- 
view with  her  parents,  he  offered  to  release  her  from  her 
promise  as  ?c  test  of  her  attachment  to  him,  but  she  declared 
that  it  was  not  alone  the  repugn^jice  which  she  felt  for  a 
marriage  with  a  polygamist,  but  her  attachment  for  him; 
and  if  consent  could  not  be  gained  from  her  father,  she 


,16  ?. 


Hi    V 


Ih 


' 


I  i  I 


I 


168 

would  marry  him  and  they  would  leave  the  Saints.  After 
some  talk  it  was  decided  that  if  their  approval  could  not 
be  obtained,  they  would  go  to  the  nearest  settlement  and 
be  married. 

These  facts  were  conveyed  to  the  father  by  the  "mutual 
friend"  and  a  little  gratuitous  advice  given,  which  induced 
the  old  gentleman  to  call  a  council  of  some  of  the  leaders, 
and  the  young  man  was  sent  for  and  a  reluctant  consent 
given  to  the  marriage. 

About  this  time  an  incident  occurred  which  made  the 
Mormons  feel  something  of  a  sense  of  gratitude  toward 
the  captain,  and,  in  consequence,  the  approaching  wedding 
was  looked  upon  with  mere  favor.  In  coming  to  the  west 
the  Saints  had  encountered  a  tribe  of  Indians,  to  whom 
they  had  traded  a  pony  which  proved  to  be  worthless. 
The  tribe  had  followed  them  in  a  spirit  of  revenge,  and 
would  have  massacred  the  entire  camp  had  it  not  been  for 
the  timely  interposition  of  the  captain,  whose  acquaint- 
ance with  the  customs  and  disposHions  of  the  savages 
had  been  so  extensive.  He  found  no  difficulty  in  effecting 
a  compromise  with  them,  and  they  were  induced  to  retire 
without  any  farther  attempt  at  harm  to  the  travelers.  An- 
other important  fact  also  mollified  them.  As  experience 
had  taught  them  that  they  would  not  dare  venture  out  on 
their  journey  to  Salt  Lake  without  an  efficient  guide,  and 


169 


one  who  could  protect  them  from  the  Indians,  "the  French- 
man" was  looked  upon  as  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the 
party  as  a  guide,  and  the  leaders  had  already  counseled 
together  in  regard  to  employing  him  in  that  capacity. 


;     r.'    3 


i'i 


i  id 


M 


? : 


I  V 


170 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Marriage  Vows — Journey  to  Salt  Lake — ^The  Revelation — 
Flight  of  Captain  Rocky — Protected  by  United  States^ 
Troops. 

Preparations  were  completed  in  the  course  of  a  couple 
of  weeks,  and  the  marriage  of  Edna  and  the  captain  was 
consummated — a  few  of  the  most  intimate  friends  of  the 
family  being  present. 

The  rites  could  not  be  performed  under  the  Mormon 
marriage  service,  as  the  groom  had  not  adopted  their 
faith.  No  minister  of  other  religious  faith  could  be  pro- 
cured nearer  than  a  remote  settlement;  but  just  at.  this 
juncture  one  of  the  leaders  of  whom  we  have  before  spo- 
ken— Emmet — professec'  to  be  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  said  he  was  still  empowered  by  the  authorities  to  per- 
form the  ceremony,  and  consequently  the  words  were  ut- 
tered which  released  Edna  Hinman  from  any  obligation  to 
become  the  wife  of  one  of  the  twelve,  and  which  bound 
her,  to  her  chosen  companion  till  death  should  part  them. 

After  a  short  time  they  left  the  camp  and  settled  in  a 
small  house,  where  the  husband  commenced  farming. 

The  young  girl  wife  knew  but  little  of  the  cares  of  a 


!  1 


171 

home,  but  she  was  happy  in  her  surroundings,  and 
gradually  assumed  the  responsibilities  of  a  house-keeper,, 
and  merrily  sang  at  her  work,  often  assuring  her  husband 
that  death  would  have  been  preferable  to  union  with  a 
Mormon,  denouncing  in  the  strongegt  terms,  their  base- 
ness, for  she  felt  deeply  the  danger  from  which  she  had 
so  recently  escaped,  and  which  had  come  so  near  wreck- 
ing her  happiness. 

Quickly  and  happily  the  summer  was  passing.  Brig- 
ham  Young  was  constantly  having  remarkable  visions  of 
the  fruitfulness  of  the  "Promised  Land,"  and  in  one  of 
these  he  told  his  followers  it  had  been  revealed  to  him 
that  they  must  hasten  thither.  The  Prophet  well  knew 
that  their  guide  must  be  one  familiar  with  the  country,  and 
some  one  who  could  be  of  the  most  service  to  them  in 
every  way,  and  he  must  be  secured  at  once. 

Up  to  this  time  "the  Frenchman"  had  been  suspiciously 
watched  by  the  Prophet,  and  although  he  did  not  relish 
any  business  connection  with  a  gentile  it  was  considered 
policy  to  secure  him. 

A  dinner  was  given  to  which  "the  Frenchman"  and  his 
wife  were  invited,  and,  to  the  utter  disgust  of  both,  sev- 
eral of  the  Prophet's  wives  were  seated  at  the  table. 

After  considerable  talk  and  consultation  on  the  part  of 
the  Mormon  leaders  it  was  decided  to  emp  loy  him,  if  they 


tim 


« I 


m 


[I  m 

1-1*  -J ;i 


^    ^*i 


yis 


-  ■*; 


'r.ii 


172 


<;ould  agree  upon  the  price,  which  was  finally  fixed  upon, 
the  amount  being  even  more  than  he  had  anticipated. 

The  young  people  lingered  long  and  tenderly  around  the 
spot  which  had  been  their  home,  and  with  moistened  eyes 
they  left  it,  and  in  the  bustle  of  preparation  for  the  coming 
journey  the  little  home  was  not  forgotten — only  lost  sight 
of  in  their  present  employment. 

The  work  of  organizing  and  setting  in  motion  such  a 
train  was  no  light  task,  but  in  time  preparations  were  com- 
pleted, and  at  last  they  were  on  their  way,  making  but  lit- 
tle progresk?,  as  so  much  time  was  consumed  each  morning 
in  starting,  and  a  still  longer  time  at  night,  as  the  wagons 
had  to  be  corralled.  To  add  to  their  discouragement,  just 
upon  arriving  at  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte  river  the  In- 
dians stole  their  horses,  and  they  were  obliged  to  go  back 
to  the  Pawnee  Mission  and  procure  more.  This  detained 
them  for  somt  time,  but  gave  those  who  remained  a  chance 
to  get  the  rest  which  they  so  much  needed.  Finally  they 
were  in  motion  again,  but  they  could  not  be  induced  by 
the  guide  to  hasten  in  the  morning,  in  order  to  travel  as 
great  a  distance  as  possible  before  the  hour  for  camping 
at  night.  Time  after  time  they  were  urged  by  the  guide 
that  it  was  imperative  that  they  be  more  expeditious,  as  a 
long  distance  lay  between  them  and  the  "Promised  Land," 
And,  at  this  rate  of  travel  they  could  not  possibly  reach 


173 

there  before  cold  weather.  He  did  not  wish  to  have  his 
wife  and  babe  exposed  to  the  sharp,  piercing  winds  of  the 
plains,  as  he  ki  ew  from  past  experience  the  sufferings 
which  would  follow  were  they  obliged  to  pursue  their 
journey  in  the  winter. 

The  disposition  of  the  party  was  thoroughly  tested,  as 
in  crossing  the  country  in  wagons  on  an  extend^^d  journey 
it  is  apt  to  bring  to  the  surface  the  weak  points  in  a  per- 
son's nature,  and  many  who  had  been  apparently  the  most 
amiable  became  morose  and  quarrelsome. 

But  where  was  Brigham '?  He  had  again  lost  control  of 
the  band,  and  be  it  to  the  credit  of  some  of  his  followers 
the  scales  began  to  fall  from  their  eyes,  and  many  were 
the  murmurs  and  questionings  as  to  the  reasonableness  of 
some  of  his  proceedings;  but  after  leaving  Nauvoo  some 
more  bold  than  the  rest  had  dared  to  assert  opinions  in 
opposition  to  the  Prophet,  and  paid  the  penalty  by  a  mys- 
terious death.  Although  the  dissenters  did  not  feel  any 
more  reconciled  than  on  former  occasions  of  trial,  pru- 
dence bid  them  use  great  care  that  the  Prophet  did  not 
hear  their  complaints. 

Still  the  train  crept  on  at  a  snail's  pace,  and  already 
weeks  had  been  consumed  in  journeying  a  distance  which 
might  have  been  accomplished  in  a  few  days. 

One  evening  the  party  camped  in  a  beautiful  spot,  the 


'.  I 


J 


I     fH 


i    : 


J.  ?, 


;iili 


!  I 


r  *■!■! 


1  I 


174 

«(;enery  bringing  to  mind  the  home-like  valleys  of  the  east? 
and  notwithstanding  the  worries  and  discomforts  connect- 
ed with  the  journey  it  had  its  pleasures  as  well.  The  eve- 
ning was  unusually  lovely,  and  the  merry  shouts  of  the 
children  at  being  once  more  freed  from  the  wagons  to  play 
upon  the  grass,  mingled  with  the  chatting  of  the  mothers, 
busily  employed  in  cooking  the  supper,  ihe  fathers  and 
other  male  portions  of  the  camp  engaged  in  caring  for  the 
stock. 

With  the  surrounding  country  clothed  in  its  garb  of  au- 
tumn, the  foliage  already  having  been  lit  up  with  all  the 
ricli  shades,  varying  from  lively  green  to  rich  purple,  red» 

brown  and  gold.  The  glory  of  a  northern  forest,  where 
there  is  a  free  intermingling  of  the  sugar  maple,  after  hav- 
ing been  visited  by  the  frosts,  cannot  be  described,  but 
mast  be  seen,  just  as  the  amateur  must  see  the  beautiful 
painting,  to  appreciate  it,  as  words  are  not  adequate  to 
bring  out  its.  beauty.  Into  such  a  scene  as  this  had  come 
our  wanderers,  and  they  were  not  wholly  insensible  to 
their  surroundings,  as  a  sort  of  undefinable  joy  seemed  to 
pervade  the  company. 

But  in  one  of  the  tents  an  altogether  different  scene 
was  passing.  The  elders  had  assembled  with  some 
of  the  leading  Mormons,  and  angry,  hot  discussions  fol- 
lowed; but  those  outside  knew  nothing  of  its  nature.    The 


175 


conference  lasted  for  some  time,  and  at  length  one  after 
another  came  out  and  the  tent  was  vacated.  Edna's  little 
sister,  with  childish  curiosity,  had  listened  and  heard  the 
subject  under  discussion.  They  had  become  so  angered, 
by  what  they  termed  the  interference  of  the  guide,  that 
they  held  a  council,  and  had  decided  to  keep  him  until  they 
could  travel  without  his  aid,  and  dark  threats  as  to  the  dis- 
position they  would  then  make  of  him,  were  uttered. 

The  child,  with  unusual  precocity  for  one  of  her  years, 
knew  that  danger  threatened  her  sister's  husband,  to  whom 
she  had  become  very  much  attached,  and  hastened  to  his 
wagon  to  tell  him  of  wl^at  she  had  heard. 

After  a  little  consideration  he  silently  formed  his  plans, 
and  asked  as  a  special  favor  from  his  mother-in-law  that 
she  send  to  his  wagon  two  loaves  of  bread  and  some 
boiled  meat,  to  which  she  agreed,  wondering  what  it  could 
mean. 

He  then  offered  to  stand  guard  in  place  of  a  friend, 
which  the  man  gladly  accepted,  and  when  the  entire  camp 
was  wrapped  in  slumber  he  hurriedly  kissed  his  sleeping 
wife  and  child,  and  was  gone.  Much  as  he  longed  to  take 
them  with  him,  he  could  not  do  «o  with  safety,  and  with  a 
heavy  heart  he  left  them,  supposing  they  would  not  suffer 
as  her  parents  were  with  her. 

During  the  time  in  which  he  had  been  with  the  Mor- 


i>  ■ 


.  1 


.iH' 


m\ 


> '  I 


176 

mons,  he  had  learned  that  they  were  not  to  be  tr.  ,.jd,  and 
he  felt  confident  that  upon  the  least  provocation,  they 
would  kill  him,  and  while  it  might  seem  that  it  was  not 
just  the  right  thing  to  leave  his  young  wife  and  infant 
daughter,  they  were  far  better  off  for  the  i)resent  and  he 
had  weighed  the  matter  well  before  acting.  He  fell 
confident  that  they  could  not  pursue  their  journey  further 
and  would  retrace  their  steps  as  far  at  least  as  Council 
Bluffs  and  remain  until  the  next  spring,  and  he  could 
then  easily  get  his  wife  and  child,  and  his  conjecture  was 
correct,  as  they  did  return. 

However,  upon  finding  that  their  victim  had  fled  they 
determined  upon  following  him,  and  executing  vengance. 
He  had  made  good  use  of  his  time  and  reached  the  Bluffs 
the  third  day  after  his  flight.  Learning  that  scouts  had 
been  out  in  search  of  him  but  a  few  hours  before,  he  was 
advised  by  a  friend  to  go  to  Vt.  Kearney  and  claim  pro- 
tection from  the  United  States  soldiers,  which  he  did,  and 
reached  there  in  safely. 

Edna  having  learned  from  her  little  sister  what  she  had 
heard,  enjoined  perfect  silence,  but  told  her  to  keep  a 
sharp  lookout  on  the  movements  of  the  leaders.  The 
forenoon  of  the  day  after  the  departure  of  the  young  hr « • 
band,  a  number  of  the  Mormons  started  out,  no  one  in  the 
camp  seeming  to  know  where,  but  Edna  was  not  long  in 


177 

interpreting  their  movements  and  anxiously  awaited  their 
return,  her  thoughts  busy  with  the  past,  and  almost  dread- 
ing what  the  future  might  reveal.  But  under  these  trying 
circumstances,  the  girlish  wife  seemed  to  develope  in  a  few 
days,  into  a  self  reliant  little  woman ;  although  much  men- 
tal suffering  wan  crowded  inio  those  hours  of  anxious  sus- 
pense she  nerved  herself  fo.  Jie  worst,  whatever  that 
might  be. 

Many  times  during  the  civil  war  when  father,  or  older 
brothers,  or  perhaps  both,  went  out  from  the  tireside  to 
save  the  "old  flag"  from  disgrace,  have  1  seen  the  hitherto 
care  free  girl  scarely  yet  in  her  teens  grow  as  if  by  magic 
into  a  capable,  thoughtful  girl  woman  and  in  her  loyal  little 
heart  long  to  do  for  the  'i^ounded  and  suffering  soldiers 
something,  as  assurance  of  her  patriotism.  And  the  boy 
who  had  always  relied  upon  father's  superior  judgment 
suddenly  assuming  the  responsibilities  of  the  farm,  with 
remarkablb  lua  vjliness  which  singularly  contrasted  witb  his 
slight  fjjifure  and  boyish  fpce. 

The  soldier  on  the  field  was  not  alone  in  his  suffering; 
the  children  during  those  times  did  suffer  unworded  pain, 
their  pillows  often  wet  with  tears  which  mother  must  not 
see,  for  her  pale  face  already  bore  the  impress  of  too  much 
care. 

Many  strong  characters  were  moulded  through  that  four 


i  "if 


u-  i 


' 


\\ 


1 

1 

!! 

i 

w 

1  i  ili 

i 

m 

1  j 

M  '5|; 

'1 

%   !' 

m  ■  • 

4^  • 

$'■ 

^ 


=  '•{ 


118 

years  atrut^gle,  which,  had  they  lived  at  another  and  leas 
eventful  period  might  have  remained  comparatively  unde- 
veloped. 

Ex-Governor  Kirkwood,  of  Iowa,  said  in  a  speech  de- 
livered in  the  west  a  few  years  since  :  "Is  it  possible  foi 
the  youth  of  the  present  generation  to  fully  comprehend 
what  the  civil  war  has  done  for  thend  Can  they,  living  in 
this  era  of  peace,  know  how  dearly  was  bought  this  gov- 
ernment ?"  God  grant  that  our  children  may  never  live  to 
i!iee  th<>  time  of  international  strife.  Hut  much  has  been 
said  and  written  by  thinking  men,  of  coming  danger 
threatening  our  government,  who  speak  at  least  within 
the  bounds  of  reason  and  judgment,  and  these 
assertions  are  no  more  incredible  than  those  uttered  in 
"Helper's  Impending  Crisis,"  which  was  so  largely  read 
before  the  civil  war. 


9t^i 


if 


179 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"The  Frenchman's"  Flight — Vows  Renewed — Return  of  the 
Mormons — Brigham's  Early  Life — Mary — Doubts. 

With  her  babe  pressed  to  her  heart  Edna  ])a8sed  a  sleep- 
less night  before  the  arrival  of  her  husband's  pursuers, 
who  came  into  camp  about  midday;  but  their  stolid  faces  re- 
vealed nothing  to  the  anxious  wife.  Things  went  on  in  this 
manner  for  a  week,  but  the  mother's  (luick  eye  saw  that  her 
daughter  was  suffering  acutely,  and  she  resolved  to  know 
something  of  the  result  of  their  journey,  and  asked  that 
her  husband  give  her  such  information  as  he  had  in  his 
possepsion,  for  she  could  not  see  Edna's  haggard  face 
rt'ituGut  feeling  that  she  was  guilty,  in  the  sense  that  they 
were  conae3ted  with  a  band  of  men  whom  she  had  about 
concluded  were  no  better  than  murderers,  and  for  the  first 
time  since  they  had  joined  them,  said  : 

"I  wish  we  were  well  back  in  our  old  home,  and  no  sect, 
no  matter  what  their  pretensions,  could  tempt  me  to  leave 
it."  Edna's  father  promised  to  ascertain  such  facts  as 
would  s.vtisfy  his  daughter,  for  the  loving  father  heart  still 
beat  the  same  in  the  breast  of  Mr.  Hiniaan,  but  that  affec- 
tion-blighting doctrine  had  well  nigh  smothered  his  better 
feelings. 


!'; 


Mi  ill; 


i.i' 


rt- ' 


MM  ! 


I'; '  .  * 


•m  I 


; 


fl 

i  ;  j 

ji 

1    \ 

frt?   1 

1 

r; 

1 

1 

ISO 

The  mother  awaited  almost  breathlessly  the  result  of 
the  conference,  and  he  brought  to  her  the  statement  that 
they  had  failed  to  find  their  victim,  who  was  in  \11  proba- 
bility safe;  saying  to  his  wife,  "You  cannot  understand  the 
awful  risk  that  I  am  taking  in  divulging  this  secret,  for  if 
one  word  from  you  reaches  their  ears  my  family  and  my. 
self  are  doomed.  Had  I  known  what  I  now  do  I  would 
never  have  brought  you  here.  Polygamy  is  not  the  only 
bad  feature  of  theii  system,  and  now  I  solemnly  vow  that 
your  heart  shall  never  be  pained  by  my  choosing  another 
wife,  for  I  shall  remain  true  to  you  till  death  shall  part  us. 
Even  now  my  blood  runs  cold  to  think  how  near  I  came 
to  sacrificing  my  own  child  to  this  base  custom,  and  mar- 
rying her  to  one  whom  she  only  abhorred." 

To  Mrs.  Hinman  these  were  precious  words — sweeter 
than  those  to  which  she  listened  when  that  other  vow  was 
made  in  the  old  New  England  church  years  ago.  It  was 
not  necessary  to  urge  silence  on  the  part  of  the  wife,  for 
her  husband's  interests  were  hers. 

Edna  received  the  news  which  her  mother  brought  with 
an  exclamation  of  joy,  feeling  from  that  time  that  her  hus- 
band lived,  and  felt  that  as  soon  as  it  was  safe  for  him  he 
would  return  to  her. 

Already  the  chilling  October  nights  began  to  come,  and 
the  Saints  appealed  to  their  Prophet  to  lead  them  into  win- 


181 

ter  quarters,  he  assuming  to  have  a  vision,  in  which  it  was 
revealed  to  him  that  their  journey  must  be  postponed  for 
a  time,  and  they  must  r«^turn  to  Council  Bluffs.  A  remark- 
able fact  was,  that  Brigham's  visions  were  made  to  con- 
form to  surraunding  circumstances,  not  the  existing  con- 
ditions to  the  visions;  hence  the  entire  company  may  have 
been  seen  in  a  few  d-  slowly  retracing  its  steps  toward 
the  BiufiFs,  where  they  established  a  grist  mill,  as  they 
must  have  aoine  means  of  subsistence  through  the  winter. 
Their  accommodations  were  of  the  poorest,  and  they  real- 
ly suffered  great  privations.  But  in  the  main  they  were 
patient,  for  they  were  looking  forward  to  the  time  of  their 
arrival  to  the  "Promised  Land./'  and  these  hardships  were 
preparing  them  for  a  fuller  enjoyment  when  they  sliould 
reach  the  "delectable  spot." 

How  like  children  we  are  constantly  pursuing  the  bright- 
hued  bubbles  which  only,  Upon  reaching  them,  vanish  into 

mid-air.  The  poor  deluded  followers  of  Brigham  vainly 
imagined  that  the  land  toward  which  they  were  traveling 
would  be  a  haven  of  rest  and  joy,  but  which  they  found 
worse  even  tlian  grasping  empty  handed  the  bright  color- 
ed bubbles,  for  they  met  with  sufferings  untold  and  un- 
written. 
To  a  woman  who  spent  some  years  among  them  as  the 


U."' 


Iff! 


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11 

p.\ 

■  . 

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I'i' 

i 

■   ! 

li! 

182 


.  ?  a.  ■  I    •: 


?  i",  V  V 


wife  of  one  of  the  leaders  I  am  indebted  for  the  following 
facts,  which  occurred  after  their  arrival  in  Utah : 

Emigrants  crossing  to  the  gold  fields  of  California  often 
camped  in  Salt  Lake,  the  Mormons  always  regarding  them 
with  much  disfavor.  Before  long,  bands  of  hostile  Indians 
who  spoke  good  English  began  to  massacre  these  innocent 
people,  whose  only  crime  had  been  seeing  and  hearing  too 
much. 

It  is  said  that  Brigbam  Young,  when  a  youth,  married  a 
young  girl  whose  beauty  had  attracted  him,  and  taking  her 
to  a  large  city  deserted  her.  She  found  her  way  back  to 
her  mother's  home,  who  shortly  before  had  died.  The 
young  woman  was  taken  to  the  poor  house,  living  but  a 
few  hours,  and  leaving  an  infant  daughter,  who  was 
adopted  by  a  lady  of  wealth  and  education.  After  her 
death  the  girl  became  a  member  of  a  family  who  eventu- 
ally joined  the  Mormons,  taking  Mary  with  them.  A  young 
man  of  the  comi>any  wished  to  n^arry  her,  and  while  she 
was  not  averse  to  his  proposal  she  firmly  refused  until 
such  time  as  they  might  findari  opportunity  to  leave  them^ 
as  she  would  not  remain  with  a  sect  who  practiced  polyg- 
amy. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  mother  a  sealed  letter  had  been 
left  by  her,  to  be  given  to  her  daughter,  which,  upon  arriv- 
ing at  her  majority,  she  was  to  open  and  read  its  contents. 


183 

Brigham  being  struck  with  her  beauty  and  accomplishments, 
wanted  to  add  her  to  his  already  numerous  household. 
On  the  ground  of  his  having  other  wives,  and  also  as  the 
affianced  of  another,  she  could  not  accede  to  his  demand. 
But,  the  overbearing  prophet,  having  been  accustomed  to 
rule,  tried  by  threats,  to  force  her  to  submission  ;  finally 
giving  her  a  month  in  which  to  decide.  At  the  expiration 
of  the  time  she  still  remained  unchanged ;  but,  in  the  inter- 
view between  them,  tlie  letter  was  opened,  and  its  con- 
tents revealed  the  st  irtling  fact  that  Brigham  Young  was 
the  father  of  Mary.  This  released  her  from  farther  em- 
harrassment,  so  far  as  marriage  with  the  prophet  was  con- 
cerned. But  now  comes  the  most  shocking  part  of  the 
account.  The  young  man  to  whom  Mary  had  become  at- 
tached, had  boldly  denounced  both  Brigham  and  his  doc- 
trines, and  had  incurred  the  displeasures  of  the  leaders  by 
so  doing. 

Mary,  her  suitor,  and  other  disaffected  members,  were 
arranging  to  go  to  California,  and  the  prophet  with  a  Mand 
smile,  advised  them  to  go  at  once,  offering  to  assist  them 
in  every  possible  way.  They  departed  with  the  apparent 
good  will  of  the  Mormons,  But  before  many  miles  on 
their  way  the  band  of  Indians,  ^hvho  spoke  good  English," 
attacked  them,  and  they  never  reached  their  destination. 
The  lady  under  whose  personal  observation  these  facts 


hi; 


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184 

came,  had  unwittingly  become  cognizant  of  some  dark 
deeds  which  had  been  committed,  and,  being  the  possessor 
of  this  dangerous  knowledge,  her  husband,  who  was  one 
of  the  few  who  remained  true  to  his  wife,  warned  her  of 
impending  danger,  and  she  escaped  and  went  to  her  friends 
in  the  east. 

The  long  cold  winter  finally  cam©  to  an  end.  Still  Edna 
watched  for  tidings  of  her  absent  husband,  knowing  ail 
the  time  that  he  could  not  send  her  a  message  without 
fear  of  detection,  and  yet,  looking  and  hoping,  that  by 
some  means,  tidings  of  the  absent  one  might  be  obtained. 
Month  after  month  dragged  slowly  along,  and  yet  she  did 
not  know  whether  he  was  still  living,  and  if  so,  where  he 
was. 

Gardener  Potter,  her  sisters  husband,  had  shown  her 
such  marked  kindness  during  lier  trials,  that  she  had 
learned  to  talk  to  him  as  if  he  were  a  brother,  and  treated 
him  as  such ;  and  time  after  time  told  him  that  her  husband 
must  certainly  be  living,  and  he  would  come  back  to  her  : 
Potter  never  failing  to  tell  her  at  such  times,  that  unless 
her  husband  had  long  since  died,  he  would  either  have 
come  to  her,  or  in  some  manner  have  sent  some  reminder 
of  his  existence  and  love.  He  knew  full  well  that  it  would 
be  useless  to  attempt  to  poison  her  mind  by  filling  her 
heart   with  distrust  of  her  husband,  and  reasoned  from 


185 

the  position  which  would  seem  to  her  the  most  lo^cal. 
This  reasoning  began  to  have  its  weight ;  but  again,  a 
certain  something,  which  she  could  not  define,  told  her 
that  he  still  lived.  Potter,  seeing  that  he  had  gained  a 
little  by  this  indecision,  began  to  make  advances,  which  in 
her  innocence  she  did  not  understand  to  signify  anything 
more  than  brotherly  regard ;  but  soon  noticed  that  these 
demonstrations  were  never  in  the  presence  of  her  sister, 
for  which  she  could  not  see  the  cause ;  which  was,  how- 
ever, explained,  as  in  a  few  days  he  came  to  her  room  and 
offered  her  his  hand  in  marriage.  Edna's  regard  for  him 
had  been  only  pure  sisterly  affection,  and  her  surprise,  in- 
dignation and  grief,  at  such  a  revelation,  found  vent  in  a 
few  sharply  chosen  words,  which  it  is  not  necessary  tore- 
peat.  But  suffice  it  to  say,  they  were  of  such  a  nature 
that  the  humiliated  brother-in-law  never  after  ventured 
anything  more  than  courteous  politeness  toward  her. 

The  prattling  little  one  was  a  source  of  much  comfo.t  to 
the  lonely  wife,  as,  gradually  doubts  began  to  enter  her 
mind,  as  her  friends  hinted  at  desertion,  and  the  wifely  in- 
stincts were  wounded.  Although  she  rejected  all  advances 
made  toward  her,  always  saying,  "I  will  never  marry,  even 
if  my  husband  is  not  living ;  and  I  certainly  will  not  prove 
so  base  and  untrue  as  to  accept  another  while  mine  still 
lives."     She  was  sought  by  others  than   her  brother-in- 


|im| 

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186 

law,  never  failing  to  express  herself  freely  and  with  con- 
tempt, that  such  a  condition  of  things  existed  that  would 
make  it  possible  to  countenance  a  plurality  of  (rives. 

The  doubts  which  she  had  entertained  began  to  take 
deep  root  in  her  mind,  and  her  friends  allowed  no  opportu- 
nity to  pass,  without  trying  to  strengthen  them.  She,  with 
true  wifely  sagacity,  would  say  that  she  knew  he  was  true 
to  her,  and  would  return;  her  face  and  manner  always, 
belying  her  words. 


;ii 


.^^ 


187 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Arrival  at  Fort  Kearney — Defence  Ajjainet  Indians — Lost 

— Kesulting  in  Insanity. 

Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  cai)tain  at  the  fort,  he 
found/that  the  Mormons,  as  he  had  predicted,  had  returned 
to  Council  BluflFs;  and  he  felt  at  rest  as  to  his  wife  and 
babe,  but  learned  through  his  friend,  who  had  warned  him 
before  of  his  danger,  that  the  Mormons  were  on  the  alert 
for  him  and  to  remain  quiet  as  to  his  whereabouts,  which 
advice  he  acted  upon,  only  venturing  out  occasionally  on 
a  hunt. 

While  at  the  fort  a  party  of  five  went  out  in  search  of 
some  of  the  wild  plums  growing  so  abundantly  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  streams  and  familiarly  known  as  sand-plums.  One 
of  the  party  was  the  wife  of  a  member  of  the  camp,  who 
with  the  rest  went  several  miles  from  the  fort  on  horse- 
back. The  fruit  not  being  very  plenty  the  party  separa- 
ted, scattering  in  different  directions,  hoping  thereby  to 
secure  it  in  greater  quantities,  wandering  about  for 
some  time,  when  all  at  once  a  savage  yell  announced  the 
presence  of  Indians. 

Each  man  for  himself   started  for  the  fort  as  rapid-^ 


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ly  as  his  horse  could  carry  him,  where  they  arrived  in 
safety,  with  the  exception  of  the  man  and  his  wife,  who 
did  not  return,  and,  as  it  was  nearly  night,  they  could  not 
get  aid  to  them  at  that  late  hour,  and  consequently  it  was 
arianged  to  send  a  number  of  armed  men  to  find,  if  pos- 
sible, the  ftite  of  the  two  early  in  the  morning,  which  was 
done  as  soon  as  light.  Upon  reaching  the  point  near  the 
attack,  they  found  the  Indians  apparently  kept  at  bay,  as 
they  were  gathered  around  in  clumps  of  bushes,  seeming 
afraid  to  venture  out;  and  upon  seeing  a  number  of  sol- 
diers they  beat  a  precipitate  retreat,  followed  by  the  troops. 
But  upon  finding  that  they  had  not  captured  their  friends 
they  gave  up  the  ^hase  and  came  back,  supposing  they 
wc'ild  find  them  dead  and  terribly  mutilated,  but  to  their 
utter  surprise  they  were  safe  and  unharmed. 

It  seems  almost  incredible  that  a  man  and  woman  could 
defend  themselves  against  the  enemy  so  unequally  divided 
as  to  numbers,  and  they  could  not  have  done  so  had  they 
not  exercised  great  presence  of  mind. 

As  soon  as  they  discovered  that  they  could  not  retreat 
from  the  Indians  they  jumped  from  their  horses,  protect- 
ing themselves  behind  a  sandy  knoll  by  lying  close  to  the 
ground.  He  directed  his  wife  to  take  his  knife  and  dig  an 
excavation  in  the  sand  as  rapidly  as  possible,  while  he  pro- 
tected her  by  picking  off  every  Indian  who  came  near 


X8» 


enough,  and  ^his  gan  being  a  long  range,  the  asBailants 
were  greatly  at  a  diBadvantage.  By  this  time  the  hole  had 
been  made  deep  enough  for  protection,  where  they  lay, 
she  taking  his  gun  as  soon  as  empty  and  handing  hers  re- 
loaded. 

Several  of  the  Indian  forms  lay  dead,  as  significant 
reminders  to  their  companioi.3  that  a  distance  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  white  man's  gun  was  the  safest  plan,  and 
knowing  that  he  could  not  have  much  ammunition,  they 
tried  by  every  savage  device  to  tempt  him  to  shoot,  hoping 
that  his  supply  would  become  exhausted  and  they  would 
then  have  no  difficulty  in  overcoming  the  two.  But  the 
emergency  gave  to  the  man  great  coolness  and  executive 
ability,  and  he  did  not  shoot  until  he  was  well  convinced 
that  a  redskin  wa^  beneath  the  disguise  which  they  ex- 
posed in  sight  and  range  of  his  gun.  He  had  but  few 
balls  left,  and  much  now  depended  upon  his  coolness,  feel- 
ing that  not  only  his  life  was  endangered  but  that  of  his 
wife,  whose  white,  scared  face  betrayed  her  fright;  and 
when  the  soldiers  appeared  the  man's  overstrained  nerves 
relaxed  and  he  sank  almost  helpless  to  the  ground. 

The  woman's  love  of  adventure  was  fully  satisfied,  as 
nothing  could  induce  her  to  again  leave  the  fort  under  any 
pretext  during  the  stay  of  the  captain. 

A  sad  incident  occurred  about  this  time.    One  of  the 


.■s»: 


m 


190 


men  from  the  fort  went,  in  company  with  others,  to  hunt, 
and  at  night  he  did  not  return,  but  as  this  was  no  unusual 
occurrence  there  was  no  especial  cause  for  alarm,  as  hun- 
ters often  wandered  some  distance  in  pursuit  of  game,  and 
at  night  they  might  be  too  far  out  to  reach  the  camp  and 
frequently  staid  until  the  next  morning. 

But  when  the  third  day  had  passed  without  his  arrival 
much  uneasiness  was  felt  and  search  at  once  instituted  for 
him.  Scouring  the  country  for  a  radius  of  several  miles 
thinking  that  perhaps  he  had  been  surprised  and  captured 
by  the  Indians;  but  as  no  evidences  were  found  to  sub- 
stantiate this  theory  it  was  concluded  that  he  was  lost,  as 
he  had  been  on  the  frontier  but  a  short  time  and  was  un- 
familiar with  the  country. 

A  party  was  at  once  sent  out  in  searfeh  of  the  missing 
man,  and  meeting  some  hunters  learned  that  they  had  seen 
a  man  running  up  the  stream  like  one  demented.  They  had 
watched  him  until  they  saw  him  enter  a  clump  of  bushes, 
which  the  party  upon  finding,  under  the  direction  of  one 
of  the  hunters,  surrounded  and  tried  to  induce  him  co 
come  out  and  go  back  with  them,  but  he  ran,  cowering  and 
«hrinking  away,  showing  the  utmost  terror,  and  shrieking 
and  fighting  desperately.  It  was  in  vain  they  assured  him 
that  they  were  friends,  and  at  last  they  caught  him  while 


191 


fleeing  from  his  hiding  place  by  throwing  a  lasso  as  they 
would  for  a  wild  horse. 

After  reaching  the  fort  with  him  it  was  pitiable  to  hear 
him  rave,  his  comrades  trying  to  soothe  and  comfort  him. 
But  they  were  only  talking  to  a  madman. 

He  was  kept  confined  several  months,  but  as  reason  did 
not  return  it  became  necessary  to  send  him  back  to  the 
states.  They  accounted  for  his  abberration  of  mind  in 
this  manner:  Supposing  he  had  lost  his  way,  and  upon 
trying  to  reach  the  fort  had  become  more  and  more  con- 
fused, and  as  a  result  his  reason  was  dethroned. 

Those  who  have  experienced  the  peculiar  feeling  upon 
being  lost  say  that  the  points  of  the  compass  are  directly 
opposite  from  what  they  seem,  and  any  one  so  confused, 
by  using  the  will  against  the  reason,  will  usually  find  his 
way  out  safely. 


m  1 


192 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

On  the  Trail  to  Santa  Fe — Captain  Uocky  as  Guide — Novel 
Costume — Death  by  Freezing — Comanches. 

About  Christmas  time  the  captain  was  employed  by  the 
commander  of  the  fort  to  guide  a  party  to  Santa  Fe.  The 
object  of  the  trip  was  to  take  to  the  Mexican  soldiers 
their  monthly  pay,  the  amount  paid  each  one  being  seven 
dollars  per  month,  which  small  sum  was  not  particularly 
enticing,  but  yet  men  accepted  even  this  and  enjoyed  this 
kind  of  life,  so  free  from  social  restraints,  as  in  many  cases 
broken  and  shattered  ruins  of  what  bad  been  to  them 
most  dear  in  life  was  all  that  remained  for  them  at  home. 
The  sundering  of  ties  which  clustered  around  those  of 
homes  of  reflnement  and  luxury  were  nothing  compared 
with  lingering  near  the  grave  of  buried  hopes;  but  some 
there  were  who,  from  the  real  love  of  that  kind  of  life, 
enlisted  for  a  term  of  five  years. 

These  men,  assuming  the  utmost  indiflference  to  physical 
suffering,  or  anything  evincing  a  tenderness  of  heart;  but 
away  down  in  some  hidden  corner  a  warm,  tender  spot 
still  lay,  for 

"  Men  ere  only  boys  grown  taU ; 
Hearts  don't  change  much  after  all," 


193 

Outward  Higns  are  only  garbs  to  be  pat  on  and  off  at 
pleasure.  Occasionally  we  see,  however,  those  by  whom 
these  worldly  and  deceitful  guises  are  never  donned,  and 
how  refreshing  to  spend  a  few  hours  in  the  presence  of 
such  an  one. 

But  to  our  subject. 

As  the  route  of  travel  lay  directly  in  the  way  of  the 
Comanche  country  it  was  exceedingly  dangerous,  as  that 
tribe  was  a  terror  to  the  whites,  and  every  precaution  was 
used  to  elude  them.  Another  imi)ediment  to  the  journey 
was  the  severity  of  the  weather  at  that  season  of  the  year. 
Taking  these  things  into  account,  the  captain  did  not  care 
to  accept  the  proposition,  and  wished  the  commander  to 
find  some  one  else  to  take  the  responsibility;  but  as  no  one 
could  be  found  so  capable  to  take  them  through,  he  finally 
consented  on  condition  that  he  might  hi<,ve  entire  charge 
of  the  outfit,  and  set  to  work  at  once,  choosing  as  many 
frontiersmen  as  could  be  found  to  join  the  party. 

The  guide  asked  that  a  quantity  of  coffee  and  sugar,  as 
well  as  tobacco  and  liquor,  be  placed  in  the  wagon.  To 
the  two  latter  the  commander  objected,  as  he  did  not  con- 
sider either  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  men,  and  had 
he  lived  in  this  era  of  reforms  he  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  a  radical  on  the  subject  of  prohibition.  The  guide 
urged  that  the  good  will  of  the  Indian  could  more  readily 


i- 


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194 

be  boaght  in  this  way,  and  succeeded  in  having  these  add- 
ed to  the  load. 

Plenty  of  thick  blankets  and  oil  cloths  being  provided, 
not  only  as  a  protection  from  storm  und  cold  for  them- 
selves but  also  for  their  horses,  as  storms  were  common 
and  violent,  and  if  well  protected  there  was  little  danger 
of  freezing  unless  something  unusual  occurred. 

The  suit  in  which  the  guide  was  arrayed,  while  it  did  not 
bear  the  marks  of  linish  which  a  fashionable  tailor  can 
give,  nor  of  the  style  which  would  suit  the  dude  of  these 
times,  comfort  and  utility  had  been  studied  regardless  of 
beauty.  The  goods  of  which  it  was  made  was  the  heav- 
iest and  warmest  to  be  found,  being  cut  sohiething  in  the 
style  of  outer  garments  worn  by  gentlemen,  and  over  this 
a  cape  completely  enveloping  the  body,  and  a  hood  pro- 
viding a  covering  for  the  head,  in  which  openings  were  cut 

for  the  eyes,  mouth  and  nose.  Then  by  way  of  grotesque 
ornamentation,  a  horn  on  either  side  of  the  head  and  three 
smaller  ones  on  the  outer  seam  of  each  pant  leg,  suggest- 
ing thoughts  of  the  inmates  of  the  region  of  hades,  and 
to  a  person  of  highly  imaginative  powers,  had  they  en 
countered  him  in  some  remote  spot,  might  have  been 
led  to  exclaim  in  the  language  of  the  Scottish  Poet 
Burns : 


195 


"  Great  is  thy  power,  and  great  thy  Oftme  ; 

Far  ken'd  and  noted  Is  thy  name; 

And  though  yon  lowln'  heugh's  thy  hame, 

Thou  travels  far ; 
And,  faith  !  thou's  neither  lag  nor  lame. 

Nor  blate  nor  scaur. 

Whyles,  ranging  like  a  roaring  lion, 

r  r  prey  a'  boles  and  corner*  try  In' ;  ' 

'W  hyles  on  the  strong-winged  tempest  flyin', 

Tirbin'  the  kirks ; 
Whylea  in  the  human  bosom  pryin', 

Unseen  thou  lurks. 

Langsyne.  in  Eden's  bonnv  yard, 
When  youthfu'  lovers  first  were  paired, 
And  all  the  soul  of  love  they  shared, 

The  raptured  hour, 
Bweet  on  the  tragrant  flowery  awaird, 

In  shady  bower. 

Then  you,  ye  auld  sneck-drawlng  dog  ! 

Ye  came  to  Paradise  incog, 

And  played  on  mau  a  cussed  brogue, 

(Black  be  your  fa!) 
And  gled  the  infant  warld  a  shog, 

'Maist  ruined  a'  " 

Captain  Murphy,  having  command  of  the  men,  sixteen 
in  number,  found  the  experience  of  his  guide  so  thorough 
and  his  capacity  for  finding  his  way  out  of  an  emergency 
so  good,  that  he  came  to  defer  to  bis  judgment  in  matters 
pertaining  to  his  trip.  Leaving  the  fort,  tbey  travelled  in  a 
southwesterly  direction,  crossing  tbeKaw  or  Kansas  liver 
at  the  point  where  the  historic  town  of  Lawrence  now 
stands,  following    thence,  the  old  Santa   Fe  trail  until 


,i  "'f 


i 


196 

reaching  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico.  The  men  did  not  look 
forward  with  much  pleasure  to  their  somewhat  unpromis- 
ing journey.  After  being  out  several  days  they  were 
prospered,  and  all  went  unusually  well,  with  the  exception 
of  extreme  cold.  But  they  were  well  fortified  against  the 
weather  and  had  been  quite  comfortable. 

One  evening  the  party  met  a  man  so  nearly  paralyzed 
with  the  cold  that  he  could  scarcely  articulate.  By  dint 
of  much  effort  he  make  them  understand  that  the  company 
to  which  he  belonged  would  certainly  freeze  if  they  were 
not  rescued,  and  he  had  started  out  to  get  assistance^ 
Already  the  snow  was  filling  the  air  so  densely,  that  one 
could  see  but  a  few  feet  in  advance,  and  it  was  now  near 
sun  set,  and  although  the  poor  man  pleaded  so  piteously  to- 
have  some  of  the  party  go  with  him,  as  his  father  was  one 
of  the  company,  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  they 
were  mostly  old  frontiersman,  inured  to  suffering,  and  to 
outward  appearances  obtuse  in  matters  eliciting  sympathy, 
the  sight  of  the  son's  suffering  brought  tears  to  the  eyes 
of  his  listeners.  They  reasoned  with  him  of  the  impossi- 
bility of  aiding  them  as  it  would  be  a  useless  exposure  of 
more  lives,  and  as  the  trail  had  become  so  indistinct  by 
the  snow  fall  that  they  could  not  follow  it,  at  last,  he  was 
induced  to  remain,  and  try  and  get  some  rest,  with  the 
promise  of  starting  out  early  the  next  morning  iu  search  of 


197 


his  father.  He  became  more  quiet.  By  day  break  the 
atorm  had  abated  and  they  set  out  early.  They  had  pro- 
ceeded but  a  few  miles  when  they  diHCOvered  a  man  lying 
by  the  side  of  a  horse,  both  frozen.  The  young  man 
recognized  his  father,  and  gazed  at  him  with  a  mutely 
agonized  look,  and  quietly  turned  away.  The  men  thought 
to  hear  some  loud  lamentations  of  grief  but  he  had  un- 
doubtedly settled  in  his  own  'itind  the  night  before,  of  the 
almost  sure  death  of  his  father.  The  body  was  taken  into 
the  wagon  and  at  night  when  they  camped  the  remains 
were  buried  in  the  best  manner  which  the  circumstances 
would  admit.  The  Captain  offered  a  prayer ;  the  son  the 
only  mourner. 

The  next  day  they  travelled  until  'ate  in  the  afternoon, 
when  the  guide  saw  evidences  of  a  coming  storm,  and 
gave  orders  to  drive  at  once  to  the  timber  before  it  com- 
menced ;  which  upon  reaching,  the  wagons  were  drawn  up 
by  the  side  of  a  steep  bank,  and  preparations  were  rapidly 
made  to  build  a  fire,  the  men  busying  themselves  with 
axes,  preparing  wood,  which,  piled  high  and  set  op  fire 
soon  made  a  cheerful  heat.  Before  long  the  storm  com- 
menced with  great  fury,  raging  for  hours ;  until  it  seemed 
with  the  dreadful  cold  attending  it,  that  the  men  must 
perish.      But,  as  is  usual  when  the  snow  has  fallen,  the 


It 


n' 


i--'-A 


1 


iir 


i 

I 


108 

cold  is  not  quite  bo  severe,  and    before   morning  the 
weather  was  somewhat  moderated. 

It  beini?  quite  late  before  the  men  ventured  out  the 
next  morning,  the  sun  was  well  up,  shining  brilliantly  on 
an  expanse  of  spotless,  glistening  white,  presenting  to  the 
spectator  a  charmingly  beautiful  sight,  one  sea  of  pure 
crystal  flakes  as  far  as  the  vision  extended  on  every  side ; 
made  silvery  by  the  bright  morning  sun.  While  one  of  the 
men  mounted  a  wagon  in  order  to  have  a  better  view  of 
the  country,  he  announced  to  hiu  companions  that  he 
espied  a  herd  of  buffalo  in  the  diHtance.  The  guide  had 
his  suspicions  as  in  whether  they  would  prove  to  be  bul- 
falo,  and  taking  from  a  wagon  a  small  field  glass  located 
it  steadily,  and  getting  it  in  range  with  the  dark  object 
looming  up  against  the  clear  horizon,  looked  intently  for 
a  time  and  discovered  coming  directly  toward  them  a 
band  of  Indians  riding  rapidly,  which  he  recognized  as  be- 
ing Comanches. 


109 


CHAPTER  XX. 


The  Panic — The  Treaty — First  Experiences  in  Hunting. 


What  now  was  to  be  done!  Confusion  reigned  for  a  few 
moments  but  the  guide  knowing  the  need  of  great  cool- 
ness, himself  cahnly  gave  orders,  as  tl..  captain  seemed 
entirely  unfitted  to  do  anything;  Die  a  rushed  wildly 
around  not  realizing  what  they  w(  ^  doing,  wliile  others 
■wete  Iiiding  in  the  wagons.  The  guide  ordered  the  men 
to  fall  into  line,  which  needed  som<^  thieats  to  accomplish, 
and  explained  to  them  the  plan  of  actioii.  They  were  to 
stand  as  before  described  and  when  tlie  Indians  had 
reached  a  point  indicated,  the  guide  would  advance  twen- 
ty steps  in  front — the  men  renuiining  standing — in  order 
to  stoj)  the  advance  of  the  foe  if  possible  and  get  the 
chief  to  meet  him  and  effect  a  treaty  if  terms  could  be 
agreed  upon. 

The  guide  warned  the  men  of  the  necessity  of  each 
standing  to  his  post  manfully,  as  a  little  decision  now 
meant  much  and  wavering  and  fright  was  equivalent  to 
surrender,  for  the  Indian  respects  nothing  so  much  as  be- 
ing brave,  and  there  was  seme  hopes  of  effecting  amicable 
terms.    In  case  the  guide  could  not  stop  the  Indians,  he 


'• 


200 

would  first  shoot  and  the  men  were  to  fire  a  volley  and 
retreat  to  the  wagons  for  protection,  as  then  it  must  be  a 
desperate  struggle  in  which  either  death  would  follow  or 
peace  be  established,  as  at  just  those  trying  times  men's 
bravery  bear  the  test.  Those  with  the  most  bravado  are 
not  usually  the  ones  who  look  unflinchingly  into  the  can- 
non's  mouth,  but  often  those  with  pallid  faces  and  trem- 
bling limbs  are  the  best  soldiers  in  the  fight. 

The  captain  seemed  to  have  regained  his  composure  and 
stood  quiet,  but  pale.  The  advancing  foe  was  now  com- 
ing at  full  gallop  about  two  hundred  yards  distant,  in  full 
dre'ss  and  hideous  war  paint.  The  guide  stepped  ahead  of 
his  men,  signaling  to  the  savages  to  halt,  to  which  they 
gave  no  heed.  The  third  time  he  signified  unless  they 
stopped  that  he  would  shoot,  at  which  they  halted  and 
seemed  to  be  consulting.  The  guide  then  asked  that  the 
chief  advance  with  three  warriors,  but  he  signified  his 
wish  to  bring  three  hundred  instead  of  three.  The  guide 
then  told  him  to  bring  six,  to  which  the  chief  agreed,  and 
they  smok  d  the  pipe  of  peace  as  a  token  of  good  will, 
looking  back  to  see  how  the  men  were  deporting  them- 
selves, and  was  pleased  to  see  every  one  stai  A  unflinch- 
ingly. 

He  now  took  them  to  the  wagons  and  had  some  weak 
coffee  prepared  and  well  sweetened,  as  the  Indian  is  par- 


201 


ticularly  fond  of  sweets,  and  all  partook  of  the  hot  bev- 
erage, and  sitting  about  the  Are  the  pipe  was  again  smoked. 
The  chief  extended  an  invitation,  by  means  of  signs,  to 
the  captain  and  guide  to  accompany  him  to  his  lodge, 
which  the  poor  captain  was  not  inclined  to  do,  but  the 
guide  assured  him  there  was  no  danger,  for  even  among 
the  savages  there  is  some  honor,  and  was  told  that  accept- 
ance of  the  invitation  was  safer  than  to  refuse.  They 
started  with  the  party,  and  upon  arriving  at  the  lodge  the 
pipe  was  again  smoked  and  a  squaw  brought  in  a  wooden 
dish  containing  four  buflFalo  tongues,  and  sitting  in  a  cir- 
cle upon  the  ground  the  dish  was  placed  in  the  center. 
Two  of  the  tongues  were  given  to  the  captain  and  the 
others  to  the  guide,  who,  taking  his  knife  from  his  belt, 
told  the  captain  to  eat  his,  and  commenced  peeling  the 
skin  of  those  which  had  been  given  him,  and  ate  them. 
The  captain  being  somewhat  of  an  epicure,  and  not  much 
accustomed  to  their  style  of  cooking,  ate  but  little,  not 
knowing  that  he  was  incurring  their  displeasure  by  eating 
so  daintily.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  guide  the  captain 
gave  the  balance  to  the  chief.  The  guide,  after  finishing 
his  repast,  reversed  his  dish,  and  the  chief  showed  his 
pleasure  by  taking  his  chin  in  his  hand  and  shaking  his 
head,  meaning  you  are  a  good  man ;  I  do  not  want  to  kill 
.you.^   When  the  captain's  unfinished  meat  was  pushed  to- 

Pacific  N.  W.  History  Dept. 

PROVINCIAL  U^BRARY 
VICTORlAi  B.  C. 


-  *i: 


4    l'\ 


¥\ 


\ 


L*''; 


! 


202 

ward  the  chief  his  angry  looks  seemed  to  say,  you  are 
nothing  but  a  child ;  you  need  scalping.  The  chief  ate 
the  meat,  then  turned  his  plate  over  that  of  the  guide 
which  was  a  token  of  friendship.  Finally  all  the  formali- 
ties of  an  Indian  treaty  were  over,  and  tne  but  partially 
mollified  chief  would  glance  pityingly  at  the  poor  captain, 
who  was  innocent  of  any  breach  of  etiquette. 

As  evidence  of  the  respect  which  he  had  for  the  guide, 
he  brought  an  otter  and  two  bear  hides, as  well  as  a  quar- 
ter of  dried  meat,  as  a  present.  Matters  now  having  been 
peaceably  adjusted,  the  chief  was  invited  to  go  to  the 
wagon,  and  they  mounted  their  horses  and  found  that  the 
train  had  already  started,  as  it  had  been  ordered,  and  over- 
taking it,  the  chief  was  invited  to  take  his  blanket  from 
his  shoulders,  and  a  quantity  of  sugar  was  tied  in  one  cor- 
ner and  some  coflfee  in  another,  and  as  the  captain  must  do 
something  to  redeem  himself  in  the  eyes  of  the  chief,  the 
guide  told  him  to  have  one  of  the  men  get  a  good  supply 
of  tobacco  from  the  wagon,  and  he  must  then  present  it 
to  the  old  chief  in  return  for  his  hospitality.  As  he  re- 
ceived the  tobacco  he  grunted  his  satisfaction  and  looked 
a  little  more  approvingly  upon  him. 

Having  now  done  all  in  their  power  to  conciliate  them, 
the  guide  asked  that  the  chief  should  not  let  his  warriors 
follow  them,  as  the  white  men  knew  how  to  shoot.    The 


205 


chief  put  a  baud  on  each  side  of  bis  head,  at  the  same 

time  making  a  gurg]ing  noise,  which  meant  y  ou  may  all 

sleep  soundly ;  my  braves  shall  not  disturb  you.     He  now 

departed  and  the  men  felt  a  sense  of  relief,  but  the  more 

experienced  guide  was  not  so  easily  satisfied,  knowing  the 

treachery  and  duplicity  of  the  Indian,  feared  that  even 

though  the  chief  might  be  disposed  to  keep  his  promise 
inviolate  he  might  not  be  able  to  control  them,  and  the 

warriors  might  evade  his  vigilance  and  pursue  them;  but 

unusual  care  was  taken  when  camping  that  they  might  not 

be  surprised  and  massacred;  but  nothing  more  was  seen  of 

them,  and  after  they  felt  they  were  safe  from  pursuit  they 

were  not  quite  so  cautious  in  regard  to  the  place  in  which 

they  camped. 

Christmas  morning  proved  to  be  a  beautiful  one,  and 

they  were  just  wishing  for  something  more  savory  than 

ueual  for  their  di'.nier  when  they  saw  a  herd  of  buffalo, and 

the  captain  and  guide,  with  others,  went  out  and  nbotone^ 
only  wounding  it.  It  became  infuriated  and  fought  terri- 
bly. The  captain  attempted  to  stab  it,  but  it  turned  upoa 
him.  The  guide  called  to  him  to  throw  himself  to  the 
ground,  which  he  did,  and  the  buffalo  went  over  him,  at 
which  the  captain  mounted  his  horse  with  more  haste  than 
grace.  The  buffalo  then  made  another  attack,  the  guide 
calling  loudly  to  tbe  captain  to  use  his  knife,  but,  seated 
upon  his  horse,  he  very  c<"olly  told  the  guide  if  he  wished 


.'Hf 


«  ir 


I  s 


204  ' 

to  make  that  sort  of  a  venture  to  do  so,  bat  for  himself  he 
preferred  to  remain  where  he  was,  and  at  the  same  time 
saying,  do  it  yourself  if  you  relish  it;  as  for  me  I  have  had 
enough  of  that  sport  for  the  present.  The  guide  finally 
shot  it  and  the  meat  proved  to  be  excellent,  but  the  cap- 
tain could  scarcely  be  induced  to  taste  it,  as  the  shock 
which  he  had  received  did  not  prove  to  be  much  of  an  ap- 
petizer. The  result  of  the  hunt  became  known  to  the  bal- 
ance of  the  company,  and  the  captain's  sudden  lack  of 
relish  "or  the  sport  was  a  standing  joke,  and  when  show- 
ing any  signs  of  retreating  from  what  seemed  to  him  to  be 
somewhat  startling — but  to  the  frontiersman  a  matter  of 
jest — the  simple  meniion  of  the  "buffalo  hunt"  would 
bring  the  laugh  against  him  and  nerve  him  to  a  little  more 
of  the  nonchalance  of  his  companions. 

While  crossing  the  Sangre  De  Cristo  mountains  a  whol- 
ly unlocked  for  cold  wave  struck  them,  and  the  tempera- 
ture having  been  very  mild  they  were  not  prepared  for  it. 
The  guide  wanted  to  stop  and  not  attempt  to  travel  until 
the  weather  became  more  moderate,  but  the  captain 
thought  that  they  could  venture  upon  their  journey.  The 
cold  however  proved  so  intense  that  the  mules  be^an 
breathing  hard,  which  was  occasioned  by  the  freezing  of 
the  breath,  and  already  the  captain,  who  was  seated  in  one 
of  the  wagons,  was  apparently  falling  into  a  heavy  sleep, 


205 

but  was  really  freezing.  By  applying  brandy,  chafing  him 
and  wrapping  in  heavy  blankets,  and  putting  underneath 
the  coverings  a  large  New  Foundland  dog  belonging  to 
one  of  the  company,  the  warmth  from  its  body  was  suffi- 
cient to  aid  in  once  more  setting  the  blood  in  circulation 
and  save  the  poor  captain  from  death. 

The  ascent  of  the  mountains  was  so  difficult  that  sev- 
eral teams  were  attached  to  one  wagon,  going  back  and 
bringing  one  at  a  time  until  all  were  safely  secured. 

Upon  reaching  the  top  a  large,  flat  surface  was  found, 
upon  which  was  a  basin  containing  a  spring  which  appear- 
ed so  clear  and  inviting  that  the  men  hastened  with  their 
cups  to  drink  of  it,  but  to  their  surprise,  found  it  contain- 
ed quite  a  quantity  of  salt,  as  well  as  some  other  minerals, 
making  it  wholly  unfit  for  use. 

When  the  party  reached  a  little  town  in  New  Mexico 
they  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Mexican  Indians,  who 
finally  retreated  to  an  old  stone  structure,  the  walls  of 
which  were  built  of  sufficient  thickness  for  a  fort.  After 
a  little  skirmish,  one  of  the  company  was  killed,  and  his 
comrades  were  so  exasperated  that  they  beat  down  the 
door  of  the  building  and  took  twenty  prisoners. 

The  trip  was  at  last  completed,  reaching  Santa  Fe  with 
the  money  and  no  loss  of  life,  with  the  exception  of  the 
man  of  whom  there  has  been  mention. 


4fl 


W'J 


mi 


!  F  I 

li  I'f 

'!  '1 


li 


1 


Si 


ir 


• 


;! 


>l- 


'i 


fr 


,f 'I 


hi 
It 


tit 


tm': 


HOQ 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

The  Guide  Visits  Mrs.  Murphy — The  Reception — Explana- 
tions— Mormon  Crime — Farewells — Escape  of  Eliza- 
beth Cole — More  Mormon  Duplicity. 

The  services  of  the  captain  were  needed  elsewhere  and 
as  he  could  not  return  with  the  company,  he  gave  the 
guide  a  letter  of  introduction  to  his  wire,  who  resided  at 
Weston,  which  lay  on  the  route  of  travel  back,  requesting 
him  to  call  without  making  his  toilet,  wishing  his  wife  to 
judge  from  the  guide's  appearance  how  he  looked  on  the 
frontier,  and  upon  arriving  and  presenting  his  letter  she 
would  not  allow  him  to  depart  as  by  an  especial  request 
contained  in  the  epistle,  he  was  invited  to  stop  and  dine. 
The  lady  asked  if  her  husband  really  presented  that  sort 
of  a  figure,  to  which  he  replied  Yes  !  only  worse,  as  when 
we  dress  game  he  wipes  his  knife  on  his  sieve,  while  I  am 
somewhat  more  particular.  Tlie  lady  looked  incredulous 
and  finally  indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh  in  which  several 
guests  joined. 

Captain  Rocky  wished  to  excuse  himself  from  the  hon- 
or of  dining  with  Mrs.  Murphy  but  the  good  lady  insist- 
ed, and  at  length  he  emerged  from  his  room,  and  was  seat- 
ed at  the  table  altogetb«^T  a  presentable  man  despite  his 


207 


soiled  clothing ;  his  bearing  being  that  of  a  gentleman. 
The  man  who  can  come  from  the  rude  life  of  a  frontiers* 
man,  by  which  he  has  been  snrronnded  for  years,  and  at 
once  appear  to  advantage  in  polite  society,  has  the  inborn 
nature  of  the  gentleman,  and  just  as  surely  will  the  vulgar 
person  be  betrayed,  for  "All  the  polish  of  the  town  can't  . 
smooth  the  the  roughness  of  the  barnyard  clown." 

After  arriving  at  the  fort  the  longing  to  once  more  see 
his  wife  and  child  became  so  great  that  he  decided  to  face 
the  danger  of  meeting  the  Mormons;  but  whether  this  was 
the  case  or  not  he  had  fully  determined  to  go  even  should 
it  prove  unsafe.  The  entire  camp  was  still  at  the  point 
where  they  had  returned  after  he  had  left  them.  He  be- 
gan to  arrange  his  matters  in  such  a  manner  that  he  might 
be  i;one  some  time  if  necessary,  and  also  made  provision 
for  his  wife  and  child  in  case  he  never  returned. 

After  everything  was  in  readiness  he  went  to  an  old 

friend  and  told  him  of  his  plans  and  asked  him  to  accom- 

pany  him  to  the  Mormon  camp,  telling  him  that  life  had 

lost  all  charms  without  those  he  held  most  dear.     Captain 

Rocky  told  his  friend  that  though  the  undertaking  would 

be  extremely  hazardous  yet  still  he  was  anxious  that  he 

should  go  with  him,  and  as  recompense,  a  lifelong  debt  of 

gratitude  was  all  he  could  offer.     Both  expected  that  they 


Mil' 


';>!  !,r.a 


1:1    1 


II 


208 


might  have  serious  trouble  and  were  prepared  for  the 
worst. 

Upon  reaching  the  camp  Xhey  rode  into  the  place,  think- 
ing it  would  be  the  better  way  to  profess  to  know  nothing 
of  the  danger  threatening  them. 

They  passed  several  houses  before  inquiring  for  the 
captain's  wife,  and  just  as  they  were  riding  by  a  small 
house  they  had  a  glimpse  of  the  retreating  form  of  a  wo- 
man, but  passed  on  and  found  by  inquiry  that  the  same 
woman  who  had  seemed  in  such  haste  to  escape  the  eyes 
of  the  two  men  was  tlie  captain's  wife,  who  had  been  so 
overcome  with  fear  and  conflicting  emotions,  she  had  fled 
to  her  room  where  her  husband  had  found  her,  and  asked 
his  sister-in-law  if  she  were  sick,  to  which  he  received  an 
answer  in  the  negative. 

Two  babies  of  about  the  same  age  were  in  the  room  and 
he  asked  which  was  his.  The  woman  did  not  answer  di- 
rect Ij,  but  said  :  "She  will  not  go  to  you,  as  she  is  afraid 
of  strangers;"  but  he  extended  his  hands  to  the  little  one 
nearest  him  and  with  a  little  crow  of  pleasure  she  put  up 
her  little  dimpled  hands  to  receive  the  caresses  and  kisses 
of  her  papa,  whose  name  she  uttered,  as  the  mother  had 
taught  her  to  repeat.  The  peculiar  conduct  of  his  wife 
accorded  strangely  with  the  proof  which  the  baby's 
prattle  had  revealed — that  his  memory  was    still  dear 


209 


Taking  the  little  one  to  the  door,  he  placed  it  upon  the 
horse  and  opened  a  bundle,  from  which  he  took  some  toys 
and. placed  in  its  hands.  Edna's  motherly  instincts  were 
aroused,  and  she  followed  her  husband  and  child  with  a 
half-frightened  feeling  that  the  baby  was  about  to  betaken 
from  her,  and  lifting  the  child  in  her  arms  went  into  the 
house,  followed  by  her  husband,  bringing  cloth,  which  he 
wished  to  be  made  into  garments  for  herself  and  child,  and 
enjoining  upon  her  the  necessity  of  using  it  exclusively 
for  herself  and  baby,  and  threatening  vengeance  upon  the 
one  who  appropriated  any  of  the  articles.  This  only  add- 
ed to  the  terror  of  the  poor  woman,  for  she  had  heard  so 
many  threats  against  her  husband  if  he  ever  returned,  and 
she  treated  him  kindly,  as  she  feared  that  some  of  his 
words  might  be  heard  and  conveyed  to  the  leaders  and 
serious  trouble  might  come  of  it. 

Much  as  she  longed  to  tell  him  all  her  grief  at  his  ab- 
sence, and  why  she  had  fled  at  his  approach,  the  vigilant 
sister  was  present  and  no  opportunity  seemed  to  present 
itself.  "The  Frenchman's"  blood  was  up,  for  he  had  faced 
peril  and  endured  hardships  and  risked  his  life  for  her — 
his  w^'fe — and  he  justly  expected  a  warm  welcome  rather 
than  to  be  received  as  an  intruder,  and  apparently  regard- 
ed with  suspicion.    He  was  preparing  to  end  the  unpleas- 


■i'|.! 


n 


-!■;■ 


210 

ant  interview  by  departing-,  when  the  child  cried  for  some- 
thing to  eat,  and  it  was  given  a  piece  of  corn  bread.   ■ 

The  father  asked,  "Is  that  all  you  can  give  the  child  ? 
Have  you  no  milk  f 

"No  ;  there  is  none  in  the  house." 

"Where  is  the  cow  which  I  left  you  ?" 

"I  do  not  know." 

Here  a  string  of  invectives  followed,  in  which  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Mormons  were  clearly  set  forth  in  no  flatter- 
ing terms. 

He  now  passed  out  to  where  his  friend  still  stood,  and 
after  a  short  conference  they  mounted  their  horses  and 

rode  rapidly  away.  His  friend  advised  him  not  to  attempt 
to  take  his  family  at  present,  as  the  singular  reception 
which  his  wife  had  given  him  left  some  doubts  as  to 
whether  she  would  be  willing  to  leave  her  people  and  go 
with  him,  but  gave  as  his  belief  that  she  had  been  fright- 
ened into  taking  such  action,  and  to  go  back  and  try  and 
ascertain  her  real  feelings  toward  him. 

The  two  men  left  the  camp,  and  Edna  watched  them 
with  mingled  feelings  of  gladness  and  pain — the  former, 
as  she  felt  that  her  husband  was  comparatively  safe  from 
au  attack  from  the  Mormons  when  he  left  the  town,  and 
pain  that  he  might  never  return,  and  regret  that  she  had 
not  faced  the  displeasure  of  her  friends  and  told  him  all. 


211 


The  captain  and  his  companion  in  the  meantime  had 
proceeded  to  where  they  could  purchase  two  cows,  and 
the  next  morning  drove  them  into  the  Mormon  camp.  Ed- 
na saw  her  husband  coming,  and  running  to  meet  him, 
grasped  his  hand,  telling  him  how  much  she  had  wanted  to 
disclose  to  him  all  she  had  suffered,  and  that  he  was  more 
to  her  than  all  her  friends  who  had  intimidated  her.  "And 
now,"  said  she,  "whenever  and  wherever  you  go  I  will  go 
with  you;  and  what  is  more,  1  have  learned  from  my  father 
that  you  need  fear  nothing  from  the  Mormons,  as  ihey  will 
not  molest  you." 

These  assurances  of  his  wife's  aflFection  diaarnicd  liini  of 
all  useless  pride,  and  with  the  advice  of  his  friend  he  con- 
cluded to  stay  and  profess  to  make  arrangements  to  emi- 
grate in  the  early  spring  with  the  saints  to  Utah.  Ac- 
cordingly he  accompanied  his  wife  to  the  bouse  and  asked 
her  that  he  might  have  soiiiething  to  eat,  as  lie  had  tasted 
nothing  since  morning,  and  found  to  his  astonishment  that 
there  was  nothing  but  corn  meal  with  which  to  prepare 
food;  but  as  edibles  could  be  obtained  at  a  provision  store 
he  soon  had  a  sufficient  supply,  dud  felt  conscience-strick- 
en that  he  had  not  before  found  out  how  his  wife  fared 
and  taken  her  to  more  comfortable  quarters. 

What  was  the  cause  of  the  change  of  feeling  toward 
him?  He  did  not  know,  but  suspected  that  they  wanted  to 


F  , 


^*|^^(^P^W^?f^!l#^%tJ'?^  w^v» 


i!  '■ 


i\ 


212 

be  friendly  in  order  to  again  engage  him  as  guide,  but  he 
had  no  intention  of  acting  in  that  capacity.  He  began  to 
arrange  to  secure  a  wagon  suitable  for  traveling  and  learn- 
ed that  his  father-in-law  bad  the  wood  prepared  for  three 
wagons  with  the  exception  of  ironing,  iind  advanced  the 
money  that  he  might  finish  them  and  he  would  take  one 
which  he  could  use  to  go  to  Salt  Lake. 

At  first  he  felt  some  fears  that  he  could  not  trust  his 
wife,  as  the  influences  which  surrounded  her  were  all 
Mormon,  and  he  was  somewhat  suspicious  that  they  had 
made  lasting  impressions.  He  decided  that  at  'ast  he 
would  be  somewhat  reserved  as  to  what  he  would  do  and 
say,  even  yet  he  had  not  told  her  of  his  plans,  but  as 
weeks  passed  and  he  began  to  understand  her  better,  he 
finally  disclosed  to  her  his  intentions  of  telling  her  father 
that  he  would  like  to  take  her  to  the  fort  for  a  time  to  en- 
able her  to  prepare  sufficient  clothing  to  last  through  the 
journey  to  Utah  without  the  necessity  of  washing.  Mr. 
Hinman  at  first  made  some  objections,  but  the  plan  seemed 
so  plausible  that  at  last  the  father  consented.  Edna  told 
her  husband  without  reserve  of  the  propositions  of  marriage 
she  had  received  and  of  her  contempt  for  the  men  who- 
had  sought  to  induce  her  to  prove  untrue  to  him,  not  re- 
vealing the  name  of  her  brother-in-law,  knowing  that  her 
husband's  sense  of  honor  was  such  that  he  would  seek  to 


.  '^i.v.i'iJWjL'mg.'wwe 


213 

I 

<leal  out  punisbment  on  the  offender's  head,  and  as  her 
fiister  was  blissfully  ignorant  of  the  occurrence  she 
thought  it  best  that  she  remain  so.  She  pitied  her  that 
she  was  the  wife  of  a  man  with  so  little  respect  for  him- 
self and  HO  little  love  for  his  wife,  and  although  he  did 
not  openly  mistreat  her  he  was  indifferent,  which  is  worse. 

During  the  absence  of  the  captain  three  young  adven 
turers  from  the  east  visited  the  Mormons,  and  like  many 
others  were  curious  to  know  something  of  this  strange 
people  who  had  created  so  much  excitement  in  Illinois 
and  Missouri.  In  the  absence  of  the  prophet,  they 
were  seen  riding  in  company  with  some  of  Brigham's 
wives,  and  upon  his  return  they  disappeared  very  myster- 
io.isly.  Their  friends  came  out  in  search  of  some  clue 
but  nothing  could  be  ascertained  further  than  that  ihey 
were  last  seen  going  west  from  the  camp.  Thus  the  matter 
ended  with  suspicions  that  all  was  not  right,  but  yet  as 
no  evidence  could  be  produced  farther  than  the  circum- 
stances surrounding  it,  nothing  could  be  done. 

The  captain  now  decided  to  take  his  wife  at  once,  as  it 
seemed  to  him  as  if  in  some  way  they  might  succeed  in 
getting  her  beyond  his  reach,  and  consequently  the  wagon 
was  ready  in  a  few  days  which  was  to  convey  them  to  the 
fort.  As  it  was  no  secret  that  they  were  about  to  depart 
a  young  orphan  girl  by  the  name  of  Elizabeth  Cole,  who 


'  1 
I 


I 


Ki' 


i^if 


■t 


i 


.1^ 


214 

had  often  visited  Edna,  came  to  her  in  tears  imploring 
her  to  allow  her  to  go  with  them  ;  as  one  of  the  Mormons 
already  having  four  wives  wanted  her  for  a  fifth,  and  the 
giri  pleaded  that  a  life  of  toil,  no  matter  how  hard  it  might 
be,  wonld  be  sweet  compared  with  the  one  before  her. 
Edna  promised  to  talk  with  her  husband  and  let  her  know 
the  result  of  the  interview,  her  sympathetic  heart  was  so 
touched  by  the  girl's  earnest  appeal  for  help  that  she  de- 
termined to  use  all  her  powers  of  persuasion  to  induce 
her  husband  to  take  her  with  them,  and  upon  laying  the 
mitter  before  him  she  was  told  that  there  was  some  risk 
attending  it  as  he  feared  they  would  not  easily  give  up  so 
promising  a  girl ;  but  the  wife  pleaded  that  even  though 
the  risk  be  great  they  must  devise  some  means  by  which 
the  poor  girl  could  be  saved  from  so  sad  a  fate.  The  cap- 
tain finally  hit  upon  the  plan  of  engaging  her  as  help  for 
his  wife  and  nothing  was  suspected  as  it  was  a  very  rea- 
sonable wish.  All  necessary  arrangements  having  been 
made. for  their  trip  Edna's  mother  embraced  her  children 
and  with  eyes  full  of  tears  said  farewell.  You  will  never 
return,  and  oh,  that  I  might  go  with  you;  but  I  cannot  and 
our  parting  is  forever,  but  you  will  be  happier  from  this 
people  and  in  your  happiness  I  shall  find  pleasure. 

The  driver  was  directed  to  drive  as  rapidly  as  possible 
to  a  point  designated  by  the  captain,  and  then  to  stop^ 


215 


leaving  the  women  and  child,  and  asking  that  they  be  al- 
lowed to  remain  for  a  time,  as  he  was  bringing  his  stock 
and  would  be  obliged  to  travel  slowly.  The  wagon  which 
his  father-in-law  had  engaged  to  make  was  to  be  completed 
at  a  stated  time,  and  he  was  to  go  for  it,  as  he  wished  to 
do  some  necessary  hauling  preparatory  to  starting  to  the 
Jordan,  but  found  that  it  had  been  sold  to  another  man, 
who  refused  to  let  him  ha\  a  it  without  the  payment  of 
twenty-five  dollars,  which  was  an  unjust  exaction:  but 
with  a  view  to  getting  along  without  further  trouble  he 
paid  it,  and  taking  iiis  wagon  turned  his  back  upon  the 
camp,  intending  never  more  to  return. 

Toward  spring,  as  tlie  Mormons  began  to  get  restless 
and  anxious  to  get  to  the  '"Promised  Land,"  a  letter  came 
from  Mr.  Hinmau  stating  that  they  were  about  ready  to 
commence  their  journey,  and  urging  that  he  come  imme- 
diately with  his  wife  and  child  and  go  with  them,  to  which 
he  paid  no  attention,  but  anxiously  awaited  the  result.  In 
a  short  ti:m<^  another  letter  came,  in  which  they  threatened 
to  come  after  Edna  and  the  child  if  they  were  not  brought 
immediately. 

Captain  Kocky  now  went  to  the  commander  of  the  fort 
and  gave  him  the  letter  which  he  had  received  and  asked 
his  advice,  which  was  about  this  :  "If  your  wife  wishes  to 
go  you  cannot  reasonably  detain  her,  but  I  should  keep 


\:IM 


Jl 


e' 


'  '*>#/H»»'"r ' 


216 

the  child."  The  captain  acted  upon  the  suggestion,  and 
showed  his  wife  the  letter,  saying,  "You  know  I  cannot  go 
with  the  Mormons,  but  if  j'ou  wish  to  go  I  will  give  you  a 
conveyance  and  enough  provisions  for  a  year,  but  you 
cannot  take  the  child.  She  shall  never  be  surrounded  by 
Mormon  influences  and  subjected  to  the  debasing  prac- 
tices of  their  church." 

Edna  assured  him  that  she  had  no  desire  to  follow  them; 
that  she  disliked  their  faith  even  more  than  he,  and  said : 
"You  need  have  no  fear ;  my  promises  to  you  will 
be  sacredly  kept  so  long  as  life  lasts  and  you  are 
true." 

Elizabeth  Cole  emphasized  all  that  Edna  said  concern- 
ing the  Mormons  by  song,  and  smile,  and  happiness,  for 
she  seemed  to  fully  realize  the  sor.ow,  disgrace  and  shame 
of  the  Mormon  women. 

The  captain  apprehended  no  danger  of  an  attempt^on 
the  part  of  the  Mormons  to  follow  him  and  take  the  wo- 
men and  child,  for  they  we^e  protected  by  the  U.  S.  sol- 
diers; and  fully  appreciating  the  trueisms,  that  discretion 
is  the  better  part  of  valor,  he  remained  about  the  fort  un- 
til word  came  that  they  had  started  for  Utah. 

When  the  news  came  that  the  Mormons  were  gone  he 
gave  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  felt  that  he  might  now  live  with 
his  family  and  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  have  a  home  of 


217 


and 

tgo 

loaa 

you 

by 
rac- 


his  own,  free  from  Mormon  influences  and  the  dangers  by 
which  he  had  ever  been  surrounded. 

The  following  is  from  Mr.  Seacat,  who  furnished  it  for 
insertion,  and  for  the  authenticity  of  which  he  vouches  : 

"In  1878  the  Mormons  visited,  and  preached  in  Craw- 
ford county,  Indiana,  and  during  that  time  converted  and 
baptized  a  man  by  the  name  of  Bywater,  allowing  him  to 
rest  fifteen  minutes,  after  which  he  immersed  him  the  sec- 
ond time,  the  object  being  the  pardon  of  his  mother's  sins, 
who  had  died  in  London,  England,  fifteen  years  previous." 

This  is  only  one  of  the  many  instances  of  their  super- 
stitious dogmas  which  might  be  recorded,  showing  either 
great  and  unpardonable  ignorance  or  lack  of  principle,  it 
might  be,  a  savoring  of  both. 

Having  in  mind  another  instance  related  by  a  worthy 
gentleman,  whose  veracity  is  unquestionable,  for  sake  of 
the  argument,  it  is  hereby  stated.  In  passing  yearly 
on  a  route  of  travel,  which  brought  him  not  many 
miles  from  Salt  Lake,  he  was  one  day  surprised  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  two  young  girls  accompanied  by  a  younger 
brother,  begging  him  to  protect  them  from  the  Mormons, 
from  whom  they  had  fled,  and  wanted  to  get  back  to  the 
states.  The  gentleman  knew  that  if  he  consented  to  take 
them  through  that  he  was  subjecting  the  whole  train  to 
liability  of  an  attack,  and  perhaps  of  entire  extinction,  and 


•-'V^'} 


/-'ir^^i 


:>ir-' 


218 


V 


told  the  young  women  his  fears,  but  was  so  moved  by 
their  look  of  despair  that  he  decided  to  consult  with  his 
men  in  regard  to  the  matter,  but  found  no  encouragement. 
He  had  become  so  enlisted  in  their  pleadings  that  he  deci- 
ded to  take  them,  and  also  the  consequences.  On  the 
same  trip  a  half-starved  man,  also  a  fugitive  from  the  Mor- 
mons, had  come  out  of  a  thick  clump  of  underbrush,  beg- 
ging for  something  to  eat,  as  they  were  passing.  He  had 
been  pursued,  and  had  been  so  much  in  fear  of  capture 
that  he  had  remained  secreted  until  hunger  drove  him 
from  his  hiding  place.  He  was  found  to  be  so  much  re- 
duced that  it  was  unsafe  to  allow  him  all  the  food  he  could 
eat,  although  he  pleaded  for  more.  When  the  camp  retired 
he  could  not  be  found,  and  supposing  he  had  returned  to- 
the  woods  no  search  was  made  for  him,  but  the  next  morn- 
ing the  sutler  found  his  body  in  the  wagon  containing  the 
supplies,  from  which  he  had  evidently  eaten  until  he  died» 
Fortunately  the  train  was  not  molested  in  search  of  the 
girls  and  boy,  and  they  reached  their  destination  without 
harm  either  to  themselves  or  the  company. 


I  III 


II 


219 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Colonel  Fremont — A  Disastrous  Trip — Establishing  Forts 
— Lieutenant  Woodbury. 

As  the  captain  was  still  in  the  employ  of  the  U.  8.  Gov- 
ernment he  was  occasionally  called  upon  to  take  a  train 
across  the  plains.  Long  experience  had  made  him  one  of 
the  first  and  best  known  guides  in  the  west  and  at  that 
time  gave  him  ready  employment  and  good  salary. 

In  about  the  year  1848  occurred  an  event  which  dis- 
played some  interesting  traits  of  character  which  were 
common  to  both  Captain  Rocky  and  John  C.  Fremont. 
By  the  student  of  history  Fremont  will  be  regarded  more 
as  an  explorer  and  soldier  than  as  a  statesman.  Both  of 
these  men  were  vigorous,  restless  and  resolute.  In  the 
year  referred  to,  Fremont  planned  an  expedition  to  the 
far  west  and  asked  Captain  Rocky  to  accompany  him  as 
guide.  The  invitation  was  accepted  and  as  preparations 
for  the  trip  were  in  progress  the  captain  dropped  a  word 
which  gave  Col.  Fremont  to  understand  that  if  he  acted 
as  guide  he  must  have  entire  control  of  the  movement  of 
the  train.  Fremont  soon  informed  him  that  the  command 
and  glory  was  his  and  that  he  would  not  share  with  an- 


:\i 


, 


h 


*  I 


i:l  ■  f 


220 


other.  A  guide  was  soca  found  to  take  the  captain's 
place,  but  the  change  proved  disastrous  for  the  new  guide 
was  unskilled,  and  in  attempting  to  cross  the  mountains 
between  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  Colorado,  he  misled  the 
expedition  and  Fremont  lost  all  his  animals  and  one  half 
of  his  men. 

Captain  Eocky,  like  Fremont,  was  a  man  of  great  native 
talents  and  iron  will,  for  whom  no  labor  was  too  arduous 
and  no  responsibility  too  great,  hence  it  was  not  strange 
that  they  failed  to  agree,  for  it  was  a  characteristic  of 
each  to  draw  a  line  by  which  his  course  of  action  pro- 
ceeded; and  on  that  plan  he  worked  irrespective  of  the 
opinions  of  others. 

Had  not  the  captain  been  so  thoroughly  fixed  in  his 
own  views  I  should  have  the  pleasui  j  of  narrating  to  our 
readers  his  experience  as  guide  to  one  of  our  most  daring 
and  world  renowned  explorers — "The  Pathfinder." 

This  marked  feature  in  his  character  is  not  objectiona- 
ble ;  it  is  the  one  which  brought  him  success  in  the  line  of 
work  in  which  he  was  engaged. 

On  his  return  from  New  Mexico  he  bore  on  his  body 
the  evidence  of  great  hardship  and  suffering.  His  won- 
derfully rugged  constitution  was  broken.  The  exposure 
through  which  he  had  passed  and  the  government  rations 
which  he  had  eaten  gave  him  the  scurvy  which  will  pro- 


ain's 
aide 
;ain8 
the 
half 


221 

bably  affect  him  all  his  life  as  he  still  suffers  from  its  ef- 
fects. 

His  roving  disposition  now  seemed  fully  satisfied  and 
he  determined  to  settle  down  and  enjoy  life  with  his  family 
— a  good  resolution;  but  habits  are  stronger  than  resolu- 
tions, and  like  all  persons  at  his  age,  his  character  was 
fixed,  or  in  other  words,  he  was  moving  in  a  rut.  The 
business  an  individual  follows  fixes  his  rut.  Twenty  years 
of  wandering — years  fraught  with  danger  and  thrilling  ad- 
ventures— had  made  him  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
wild  unsettled  west,  and  very  skillful  as  a  scout  and  a 
guide,  but  had  also  unfitted  him  for  the  peaceful  pursuits 
of  home  life. 

When  he  had  been  at  home  but  a  short  time  a  party 
was  organized  to  go  to  Grand  Island,  Nebraska,  to  estab- 
lish a  fort.  So  much  has  been  said  thus  far  of  forts  that 
something  more  definite  concerning  the  construction  of 
the  western  fortifications  may  be  of  some  interest  to  the 
reader.  These  bear  no  resemblance  to  the  strong  fort- 
resses which  guard  our  eastern  ports,  but  were  generally 
rude  stockades,  some  of  them  enclosing  three  or  four 
acres  of  laud  with  a  double  row  of  posts  or  logs  rising 
from  ten  to  eighteen  feet  above  the  ground;  on  the  inter- 
ior of  the  stockade  was  one  or  raore  block  houses.  These 
houses  were  flat   on  the  top,  affording    elevated    po- 


f    " ')! 


tw- 


■^i 


II 


h 


^< 


( 'i 


I 


!l 


222 

sitions  for  artillery  ,  that  it  might  easily  command  the  sur- 
rounding country.  While  these  forts  gave  perfect  secur- 
ity from  the  Indians,  they  would  have  oflFered  little  resis- 
tance to  an  invading  army.  Kansas  now  boasts  of  several 
more  modernly  constructed  forts,  one  at  Leavenworth,  on 
the  bluffs  of  the  Missouri  river,  another  at  Ft.  Scott  on 
the  Marmiton  river,  and  Ft.  Dodge,  all  of  which  were  built 
during  the  rebellion,  and  are  to-day  of  little  use  or  impor- 
tance. 

The  place  which  the  company  was  to  fortify  is  on  the 
Platte  river,  below  the  present  site  of  Kearney. 

With  his  fast  declining  health  Captain  Rocky  did  not 
consider  it  practicable  to  attempt  the  trip,  especially  as 
he  had  resolved  to  remain  with  his  family.  But  it  seemed 
impossible  to  get  any  one  else  who  was  able  to  conduct 
the  expedition,  and  an  oflFer  so  tempting  was  made  him 
that  he  finally  agreed  to  gc,  upon  condition  than  an  ambu- 
lance be  furnished  him  in  which  he  might  ride  and  also  a 
horse  for  his  use  when  he  was  able  to  go  on  horseback. 

Captain  Sublett  and  Lieut.  Woodbury,  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  were  highest  in  rank  and  Captain  Eocky  acted  as 
guide.  There  were  one  hundred  and  twenty  soldiers  un- 
der their  command.  After  having  oeen  out  a  few  days  the 
much  improved  condition  of  the  captain's  health  enabled 
him  to  be  out  with  the  men,  and  he  did  much  to  make  the 


223 


long  and  dreary  hours  and  days  pleasant  to  the  soldiers. 

Captain  Sublett  had  also  been  quite  a  frontiersman.     He 

was  of  genial  disposition  and  thoroughly  enjoyed  a  joke  . 

he  and  Captain  Kocky  were  rival  story  tellers,  and  jokes 

did  much  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  camp  life,  and  the 
long  tiresome  march. 

In  rehearsing  their  experiences  of  the  past,  at  different 

times  the  conversation  turned  on  the  bills  of  fare  which 
they  had  enjoyed,  (a  good  while  after  they  were  eaten). 
They  declared  that  on  one  occasion  they  had,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  other  food,  eaten  a  boiled  dog,  and  ate  it  with  a 
relish.  They  thought  it  a  good  feast.  If  it  was,  it  is  fair 
to  suppose  that  it  was  a  dogged  good  feast. 

Lieutenant  Woodbury,  who  had  been  a  silent  listener 

up  to  this  time,  expressed  himself  in  strong  terms,  declar- 
ing that  he  felt  sure  that  before  he  could  be  induced  to 

eat  the  meat  of  a  dog  he  would  eat  nothing. 
The  lieutenant  was  a  gentleman  of  refined  and  scholarly 

attainments,  and  to  one  of  nesthetic  tastes,  who  had  lived  all 
his  life  among  the  learned  and  cultured  of  the  land,  this  fea- 
ture of  western  life  was  especially  disgusting.  Many  other 
things  were  unpleasant  to  him,but  being  a  gentleman  of  sterl- 
ing qualities  he  strove  to  fit  himself  for  his  environments. 

His  comrades  laughingly  assured  him  that  he  might  be 
glad  to  eat  a  canine  before  many  month8.elapaed,to  which 
he  replied,  "No  I  Never !  Never ! !" 


'i  ; 


(    !.: 


i  "ii 


I  . 


224 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Supper  of  Dog  Meat — Perils   on  the   Platte — Rescue — 
Atrocities  of  the  Pawnees. 

They  were  on  the  road  but  a  few  days  more  when  it  was 
decided  that  rest  was  necessary,  and  a  halt  was  ordered. 
After  being  in  camp  but  a  few  days  a  herd  of  buffalo  was 
discovered  coming  toward  the  camp.  Lieutenant  Wood- 
bury, with  all  the  impatience  of  an  experienced  hunter, 
wished  to  be  off  at  once  to  kill  a  few  of  them,  and  coming 
eagerly  to  the  guide  asked  him  to  go  with  him  before  the 
much-coveted  prize  could  retreat;  but  as  his  horse  had  fal- 
len with  him  and  injured  him  only  a  few  days  before  so 
that  he  could  not  ride  horseback,  he  suggested  that  he  ask 
Captain  Sublett  to  accompany  him.  The  lieutenant  an- 
swered, "I  have  already  done  so  and  he  refuses  simply  be- 
cause he  is  too  indolent  to  enjoy  a  buffalo  hunt."  It 
might  be  observed  here  that  Captain  Sublett 's  love  for  the 
ridiculous  was  only  equalled  by  his  untiring  love  for  rest. 
He  was  always  ready  to  play  a  joke  or  go  into  camp  for  a 
few  days  of  repose. 

Just  then  a  band  of  friendly  Indians  were  seen  not  far 
away,  and  the  guide  thought  of  a  plan  at  onoe,  and  said : 


;-d. 


225 

"I  will  go  and  persuade  the  captain  to  go  out  with  you* 
It  would  be  too  bad  for  you  to  miss  the  sport  of  a  bu£falo 
hunt."  He  then  proceeded  to  the  tent  and  told  the  cap- 
tain if  he  would  go  out  with  the  lieutenant  he  would  trade 
with  the  Indians  for  a  fat  dog  and  dress  and  cook  it  before 
they  returned  from  the  hunt. 

The  captain,  whose  experience  with  buffalo  had  not  been 
the  most  agreeable,  and  having  no  relish  for  that  kind  of 
sport,  would  exercise  his  ingenuity  and  put  forth  much  en- 
ergy if  he  was  sure  that  thereby  he  might  perpetrate  a 
joke  on  some  victim  of  his  company;  hence  the  captain 
and  lieutenant  might  have  been  seen  a  few  minutes  later 
riding  in  the  direction  of  the  buffalo.  The  latter  hurried- 
ly  took  the  lead,  the  former  leisurely  bringing  up  the  rear, 
while  in  the  camp  might  be  seen  the  guide — the  personifi- 
cation of  mischief — bartering  with  the  Indians  for  a  fat 
puppy,  giving  them  a  little  sugar,  tobacco  and  coffee  in  ex- 
change for  it. 

The  negro  cook  was  enjoined  to  silence  as  to  the  kind 
of  game  prepared  for  the  coming  meal,  and  to  impress  the 
importance  of  reticence,  a  small  silver  coin  was  slipped 
into  his  hand,  for  which  he  acknowledged  gratitude  by  a 
full  display  of  ivory  and  unusual  alacrity  in  obeying  or- 
ders. 

One-half  of  the  carcass  was  dressed  and  the  balance 


I  *- 


i 


ii  II 


t<  Hi 


iU 


■m^mimmmw^m 


226 

rolled  ia  the  hide  and  secreted  beneath  oue  of  the  wagons 
on  the  coupling-pole.  About  three  o'clock  the  sportsmen 
returned  from  a  long,  exciting  chase,  tired  and  with  appe- 
tites not  unlike  the  hungry  schoolboy's,  whose  capacity 
for  storing  away  large  quantities  of  edibles  is  proverbial. 

In  hunting,  the  captain  had  been  successful,  as  he  had 
killed  a  buflfalo;  but  the  lieutenant,  who  had  gone  out  with 
such  visions  of  success  awaiting  him,  had  returned  rather 
crestfallen,  not  even  having  wounded  a  buffalo,  and  him- 
self the  target  for  many  not  unamlable,  but  perhaps  no  I 
gracefully  rendered  jokes  concerning  his  lack  of  skill  as  a 
hunter. 

The  lieutenant's  olfactories  were  very  acute — so  acute 
indeed  that  he  had  often  amused  the  compauy  on  the  way, 
by  telling  the  kin.  *  ^'^wers  and  herbs  growing;  by  the 
wayside,  but  not  in  sight,  it  was  often  remarked  that 
if  he  would  follow  his  nose  it  would  lead  him  aright. 

He  had  not  been  long  in  camp  before  the  savory  odors 
from  the  cook's  tent  attracted  his  attention,  and  at  once 
proceeded  thither  to  inteiTOf,ate  Sambo  as  to  the  kind  of 
meat  he  was  cooking,  saying,  "That  meat  scuds  out  a  pe- 
culiar but  delicious  odor.     What  is  it  f 

"Dunno,  mas'r,"  replied  the  cook.  "It  do  smell  mighty 
nice,  don't  it  ?" 

He  asked  the  guide  what  it  was,  and  was  told  that  it  was 


f:^^ffmmii 


' 


227 


a  little  animal  which  was  very  much  prized  and  which  he 
had  killed  that  day,  but  that  he  could  not  recall  its  name. 
Dinner  was  soon  announced  and  the  oflBcers,  unusually 
mirthful — the  provoking  cause  apparently  being  the  exci- 
ting chase  of  the  morning  and  the  lieutenant's  ill  luck  as  a 
sportsman — immediately  answered  the  call. 

"Around  the  board  they  ranse  In  line 
And  only  wait  a  given  sign" 

to  begin  the  feast. 

The  lieutenant  passed  his  plate  and  a  generous  deal  of 
the  meat  was  made  to  him  which  he  ate,  and  passed  his 
plate  for  another  supply,  wondering  as  he  did  so  if  the 
hunt  had  not  added  to  their  appreciation  of  the  most  ex- 
cellent d'  ner,  and  asked  if  animals  of  that  species  were 
abundant,  saying  that  he  would  like  to  try  his  skill  in 
shooting  one,  as  perhaps  he  might  have  better  success 
with  small  game  than  with  the  bison.  He  was  told  that 
they  were  abundant  in  some  localities  and  easily  killed, 
and  that  the  chances  were  good  for  many  such  feasts. 

The  lieutenant  brought  some  cigars  and  the  captain  told 
him  that  he  had  saved  enough  of  the  aniinal  for  another 
meal,  and  would  show  it  to  him  as  soon  as  they  had  enjoyed 
their  Havanas.  Lingering  for  a  time  to  laugh  and  chat,  the 
guide  said:  "Now,  come  and  see  the  kind  of  meat  of 
which  you  are  so  fond." 


if 


I . ' 
I  ■ 


;  ^  I M 

it 

'  I 
■  f 

•it 
if,' 

1^ 


>l 


ml 


228 

They  proceeded  to  the  wagon,  and  he  told  the  lieuten- 
ant to  kneel  down  and  look  up,  the  guide  at  the  same  time 
giving  the  remains  a  quick  jerk.  The  dog's  head  still  re- 
mained unsevered  from  the  body  and  presented  a  fierce 
appearance  with  its  grinning  teeth  and  staring  eyes.  The 
lieutenant  stood  still  for  a  moment,  looking  puzzled,  then 
said: 

"That  looks  to  me  much  like  a  dog." 

"Yes,  that's  just  what  it  is,  and  you  have  relished  a  feast 
on  what  you  said  you  never  could  be  induced  to  taste," 
said  the  guide. 

The  lieutenant  felt  that  the  fun  had  been  a  little  severe^ 
for  his  senses  of  smell  and  taste  were  epicurean,  and  he 
had  always  had  the  means  with  which  to  gratify  tLem* 
The  thought  that  those  senses,  so  finely  developed,  had 
actually  been  captivated  by  a  thing  so  gross  as  "boiled 
dog"  was  unpleasant,  to  say  the  least.  Still  he  had  the 
good  sense  to  let  the  matter  pass  good  naturedly ;  but  he 
insisted  on  the  cook  taking  all  the  cooking  utensils  to  the 
creek,  near  by,  and  give  them  a  thorough  scouring  with 
sand,  and  warned  the  colored  boy  to  assist  in  no  more 
pranks  upon  him.  He  was  also  very  careful  thereafter  to 
find  to  a  certainty  just  what  he  was  eating. 

The  world  is  filled  with  victims  who,  though  not  literally 
partaking  of  such  food,  are  tasting  of  bitter  fruits  which 


-nJHaiHll*HmM»l'-« 


229 


«ircamBtances  are  pressing  to  their  lips,  and  nsually  the 
very  ones  which  in  their  undisciplined  hearts  they  have 
flaid,  "I  will  never  taste,"  yet  in  the  economy  of  nature  it 
is  well,  for, 

"Hearts,  like  apples,  are  hard  and  sour 
Till  crushed  by  pain's  relentless  power." 

The  Pawnee  tribe  of  Indians  became  somewhat  trouble- 
some  and  measures  were  taken  to  effect  a  treaty  with 
them,  but  in  the  time  that  intervened  between  the  first  at- 
tempt at  a  treaty  and  its  final  conclusion  ^heynnade  the 
company  serious  trouble  with  their  stock,  seeming  to  take 
especial  pleasure  in  .scattering  it  in  every  direction,  there- 
]fj  making  much  trouble  in  getting  it  together,  and  other- 
wise annoying  the  men  by  every  device  that  savage  fancy 
might  dictate.  But  at  last  a  treaty  was  made  and  the  sol- 
diers were  no  longer  vexed  by  their  depredations. 

At  that  early  date  the  country  was  one  vast,  almost 
boundless  expanse  of  prairie,  inhabited  by  wild  animals 
and  reptiles,  the  rattlesnake  being  very'common,  and  the 
horses  suffered  much  from  their  venom — many  dying. 

The  guide's  health  was  so  much  improved  that  he  was 
now  sent  out  on  important  missions,  such  as  carrying  mes- 
sages from  fort  to  fort.    Many  times  these  trips  were  of  a 
dangerous  character,  as  he  v^ent  alone  without  the  aid  of 
any  soldiers,  but  years  of  experience  on  the  plains  had  so 


'  1'- 


; 


!  ! 


ft. 


n. 


I 


»m^llnMi.^t«i/,i 


'i    ! 


;l 


tl 


i 


! 


Si*: 


230 

prepared  him  for  the  work,  that,  though  in  constant  peril, 
several  times  encountering  hostile  Indians,  and  more  than 
once  being  an  interested  party  in  a  close  race,  yet  he  was 
always  on  the  alert  for  danger  and  always  made  good  his 
escape. 

He  often  traveled  for  days,  his  only  companion  being 
his  gun.  At  one  time  he  was  sent  up  the  Platte  river  some 
seven  miles,  expecting  to  return  the  next  day.  Wbou 
about  ready  to  retrace  his  steps  he  was  surprised  c  .' 
party  of  Indians.  The  first  notice  he  had  of  their  ap- 
proach was  their  tiendiBu  yell,  and  immediately  the  race 
began.  The  Indians  were  mounted  and  he  was  on  foot, 
but  owing  to  the  broken  surface  of  the  country  he  had  a 
decided  advantage.  At  this  point  on  the  river  the  timber 
is  small  and  grows  in  clumps.  At  first  he  ran  into  one  of 
these  patches  of  underbrush,  then  into  a  ravine  which  ran 
in  the  direction  of  another  clump  of  timber,  but  knowing 
that  the  Indians  would  attempt  to  cut  him  oflf  from  the 
shelter  of  the  woods,  shielded  himself  under  the  high 
banks  of  the  ravine,  and  ran  until  he  came  to  a  place 
which  had  been  worn  and  hollowed  by  the  water  and  filled 
by  a  drift  of  grass.  Under  this  he  crept  and  anxiously 
awaited  the  result. 

The  Indians   were   evidently   baffled,  and  with  great 
pleasure  the  captain  heard  them  going  in  the  direction  of 


231 

the  woods;  their  exultant  yells  ceased  and  the  tone  of 
their  voices  indicated  that  they  had  become  serious,  after 
a  time  the  sounds  died  away,  but  the  silence  did  not  last 
long,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he  became  certain  that  they 
were  searching  for  him  in  the  lavine.  He  began  to  fear  that 
they  might  fire  the  dry  drift  under  which  he  was  conceal- 
ed, the  sound  came  nearer  and  nearer  and  coming  to  his 
hiding  place  stopped  and  talked ;  his  very  heart  beats 
seemed  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  his  dreadful  foe.  The 
crisis  had  come,  lie  felt  that  they  had  found  him  and  now 
he  had  the  choice  of  dying  there  at  their  hands  without  a 
struggle,  or  of  springing  to  his  feet  and  die  fighting.  The 
latter  plan  was  his  choice  but  while  he  lay  dreading  the 
fearful  results,  dreading  more  for  wife  and  child  than  for 
self,  to  his  utter  astonishment  the  Indians  moved  on,  but 
it  was  not  long  until  they  returned,  then  they  divided  into 
small  squads,  dismounted,  secured  their  ponies  and  a 
more  careful  search  commenced.  Night  came  on  and 
brought  hopes  of  escape.  Thirst  and  hunger  were  adding 
greatly  to  his  discomfort,  and  when  a  party  of  the  fiends 
prepared  their  supper  and  camjied  for  the  night  by  him 
he  felt  that  his  doom  was  sealed. 

All  night  he  lay  and  listened  and  waited,  and  the  morn- 
ing renewed  his  hopes  and  fears,  hopes  that  as  he  had 
promised  to  return  the  previous   day  a  search   might  be 


i  I' 


'■     ■  :d 


i;i! 


.; 


i;;:. 


232 

made  for  him,  and  fear  lest  the  Indians  would  fire  the 
drift  or  discover  him,  but  the  long  summer  day  passed 
much  as  the  previous  day  had  done.  He  dare  not  move,and 
his  suffering  was  intense.  Thirst  burned  and  hunger,  like 
an  imprisoned  wolf,  gnawed  his  vitals.  Ni^'ht  again  came 
and  as  his  tormenters  gathered  to  camp  by  him,  hope  fled, 
and  the  pai  " "f?  victim  awaited  the  fearful  torture  and 
death  which  .  felt  was  inevitable.  Minutes  seemed 
hours,  the  night  dragged  slowly  by ;  morning  came.  The 
Indians  manifested  no  intention  of  leaving;  momentarily  he 
expected  to  be  burned.  A  little  before  noon  there  was  a 
great  stir  in  the  camp  as  though  the  savages  had  discov- 
ered new  victims.  There  was  a  rush  for  the  ponies  and 
in  a  moment  the  hoof  beat  of  two  or  three  hundred  horses 
told  him  that  the  foe  had  fled.  He  listened  a  moment  and 
the  clanking  of  arms  told  him  that  deliverance  had  come, 
but  not  too  soon;  for  the  dust  which  he  had  breathed  from 
the  dry  drift,  the  intense  heat,  and  remaining  in  one  posi- 
tion so  long  had  so  weakened  him  that  it  was  with  the 
greatest  difficulty  that  he  could  move  or  get  from  his  hid- 
ing place.  He  came  forth  as  from  the  dead.  Capt.  Sublett 
fearing  something  had  happened  to  him,  had  that  morning 
decided  on  going  in  search  of  him.  When  the  captain  re- 
turned with  him  to  the  fort  his  appearance  told  his  suffer- 
ing plainer  than  words  could  have  done  and  tender  care 


233 

and  smiles  and  tears  told  the  love  and  sympathy   of  his 
wife  and  comrades. 

The  Pawnee  tribe  of  Indians  were  then  on  the  war  path 
and  many  poor  fellows  suflfered  a  horrid  death  at  their 
hands.  About  two  weeks  after  the  event  just  narrated 
the  Indians  fell  upon  the  U.  S.  mail  carrier,  whose  route 
lay  between  Ft.'s  Leavenworth  and  Kearney,  and  murder- 
ed him  then  plundered  the  mail  and  escaped  with  team 
and  \<^agon.  The  Government  then  ordered  the  soldiers 
to  punish  the  tribe  until  the  offenders  should  be  given  up 
and  a  treaty  of  peace  signed  which  was  done,  but  the  In- 
dians disregarded  the  treaty  and  continued  to  depredate 
as  we  shall  soon  see.  This  murder  was  committed  near 
the  border  line  of  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  where  the  old 
stage  road  crossed  the  Big  Blue  river.  Such  scenes  were 
then  common.  If  the  price  of  land  can  be  paid  by  the 
blood  of  heroes,  America  has  been  dearly  bought. 


-\'- 


il:  " 


f'i' 


i 


m 


u 


234 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

The  Life  of  the  Frontiersman— Domestic  Quiet — The  Mar- 
riage Vows  Repeated — Escape  of  Agnes  Arnold — 
Discovery  of  Gold  in  California — Society  Fi'om  a 
Clergyman's  Standpoint. 

A  frontiersman  life,  though  so  full  of  danger,  is  said  to 
be  fascinating  in  the  extreme,  and  when  one  has  lived  for 
years  with  only  the  society  of  the  rough,  hardy,  but  gen- 
eroiis  hearted  pioneers,  the  busy  hum  of  civilization  loses 
its  charms  for  him,  and  as  the  hut  is  changed  for  a  home, 
the  wigwams  give  place  to  the  city  and  the  hunting 
grounds  arc  converted  into  corn  tields  a  spirit  of  rest- 
lessness takes  possession  of  him  and  he  again  turns  his 
face  to  the  setting  sun  and  with  his  few  effects  loaded 
into  his  wagon  he  seeks  "Some  quiet  spot  unchanged  by 
art  to  tit  the  taste  of  man. 

"Some  sweet  wild  iand  adorned  on  natures  plan,"  and 
when  he  finds  it  he  is  happy.  It  is  well  that  he  is,  for  he  is 
the  fore-runner  going  to  prepare  the  way  for  civilization. 
Few  men  have  the  hardihood  and  courage  to  endure  the 
hardships  and  privations  which,  must  be  undergone  in  the 
settling  of  any  new  country. 


235^ 


"It  ain't  the  fanniest  thing  a  man  can  do- 
Existing  in  a  country  when  it's  new  ; 
Nature— who  moved  in  flrst— a  good  long  while- 
Has  things  all  eady  somewhat  ber  own  style, 
And  slie  don't  want  her  woodland  splendors  battered, 
Her  rustic  furniture  broken  up  and  scattered, 
Her  paintings,  which  long  years  ago  were  done 
By  that  old  fiplfndid  artist— King,  the  Sun- 
Torn  down  hnl  dragged  i  i  Civilization's  gutter. 
Or  sold  to  purchase  settlers'  bread  and  butter. 
Hhe  d  n't  want  things  exposed  from  porch  to  closet, 
And  so  she  kind  o'  uags  the  man  who  does  it. 
She  carries  in  her  pockets  bags  of  seeds, 
As  general  agent  of  the  thriftiest  weeds. 
Hhe  Kends  her  blackbirds  in  the  earliest  morn 
To  superintend  his  fields  of  planted  corn  • 
She  gives  her  rain,  past  any  duck's  desire, 
Then  may-be  several  weeks  of  quiet  fire; 
She  sends  mosquitoes— leeeches  perched  on  wings — 
To  poison  him  with  blood-devouring  slings  ; 
She  loves  ber  ague-muscle  to  display. 
And  shaiie  nim  up — say  every  other  day. 
With  thoughtful,  consciectlous  care  she  makes 
Those  travelin'  poison-bottles,  ra'tlesnakes  ; 
She  finds  time,  'mongst  her  other  family  cares. 
To  keep  in  stock  good  wildcats,  wolves  and  bears  ; 
She  spurns  his  offered  hand  with  silent  gibes, 
And  compromises  with  the  Indian  tribes, 
(For  they  who're  wrestled  with  his  bloody  art 
SayN  ature  always  takes  an  Indian's  part). 
In  short,  her  toll  is  every  day  increased. 
To  scare  him  out  and  hustle  him  bwck  east; 
Till  finally,  it  arpears  to  her  some  aay 
That  he  has  made  arrangements  lor  to  stay; 
Then  she  turns  'round,  as  sweet  as  anything. 
And  takes  her  new-made  friend  Into  the  ring, 
And  changes  from  a  snarl  into  a  purr— 
From  motner-in-law  to  mother,  as  it  were." 


ti.T 


I' 


1236 


-  v  ', 


> 


And  when  that  time  comes  immigration  begins  to  pour  in 
bringing  pluck,  enterprise  and  sobriety ;  this  class  usually 
being  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the  land,  and  in  the  fertile 
valleys  and  uplands  of  the  west  are  reared  beautiful  homes, 
where  not  only  utility  but  aesthetic  tastes  are  gratified  and 
cultivated.  The  love  of  flowers  and  ornamental  shrubs  is 
a  growing  passion  with  the  American  people,  and  any  one 
of  this  day  and  age  professing  much  advancement  can  no 
more  afford  to  be  without  these,  than  can  the  literary  man 

dispense  wi1  the  current  news  of  the  day  from  his  center 
table.  . 

During  the  time  o£  this  last  trip  the  captain's  family  was 
at  Fort  Kearney,  where  he  returned  and  removed  with 
them  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  at  that  time  being  quite  small 
coni  pared  with  its  present  size,  which  now  numbers  55,785 
inhabitants,  having  that  remarkably  rapid  growth  which  so 
many  western  cities  show,  by  the  census,  to  be  almost  be- 
yond the  comprehension,  in  so  short  a  period  of  time. 

Life  with  his  wife  and  children  now  seemed  to  begin 
with  all  its  enjoyments,  as  he  had  never  fully  realized  be- 
fore the  pleasures  attendant  upon  a  life  of  domestic  quiet; 
but  his  health  again  began  to  fail  and  he  became  so  much 
reduced  that  fears  were  entertained  that  he  might  not  re- 
cover, and  wishing  to  arrange  his  business  in  such  a  man- 
c^ner  as  best  to  protect  his  family  from  want,  he  sent  for  a 
lawyer  to  adjust  his  affairs. 


' *  .  237 

Shortly  before  this,  he  had  learned  that  Emmett,  who 
had  nnited  them  in  marriage  at  Vermilion,  was  not  empow. 
ered  to  do  so,  and  consequently  their  marriage  was  void. 
His  wife  as  well  as  himself  was  shocked  upon  learning 
this,  and  hastened  to  repair  the  wrong  which  had  been, 
done  by  at  once  procuring  legal  advice,  and  upon 
learning  the  case  the  lawyer  informed  them  that  the  cere- 
mony was  not  binding,  and  advised  them  to  take  the  prop- 
er steps  to  be  united  legally,  whereupon  a  clergyman  was 
summoned,  and  with  the  sick  man  in  his  bed,  his  wife 
standing  by  his  side,  they  were  married,  this  time  no 
doubts  surrounding  its  validity.  • 

After  a  few  weeks  the  captain  was  out  of  danger,  but 
still  remained  feeble.  One  evening  as  his  wife  was  seated 
with  her  children  and  Elizabeth,  after  the  toils  of  the  day, 
she  was  startled  to  see  at  the  door  a  young  man  of  slight 
figure,  with  something  strikingly  familiar  both  in  voice  and 
manner,  asking  for  work.  He  was  informed  that  the  hus- 
band was  absent,  but  would  return  before  long. 

All  this  time  the  lady  was  trying  to  solve  the  enigma  as 
to^  where  she  had  seen  that  face  and  heard  the  voice  be- 
fore, feeling  sure  that  she  was  sitting  face  to  face,  not  with 
a  stranger,  but  with  an  old  familiar  friend,  yet  she  could 
not  settle  it  in  her  own  mind.  In  the  meantime  the  cap-  •^ 
tain  came  in,  and  the  lad  asked  that  he  might  be  furnished 


i  I  u 


f!    it' 


I  13! 


m  t 


238 

employment.  He  waB  told  that  he  had  nothing  for  him  to 
do,  but  he  might  remain  with  him  over  night,  and  if  he 
wished  to  perform  some  little  labor  about  the  grounds  for 
his  lodging  he  could  do  so,  to  which  he  cheerfully  con- 
sented. 

The  youth  was  seated  later  in  the  evening  engaged  in 
conversation  with  the  ladies  when  he  exclaimed :  "Edna, 
do  you  not  know  me  ?  You  must  remember  Agnes  Ar- 
nold, a  young  girl  among  the  Mormons  at  the  time  of  your 
departure  for  the  fort !" 

In  her  own  words,  she  related  the  following : 
"I  went  with  the  saints,  in  company  with  my  family,  to 
Utah,  shortly  after  you  left  us.  I  lived  the  happy,  care- 
less life  of  a  young  girl  with  my  affectionate  parents  and 
brothers,  when  my  father,  after  a  short  illness,  died.  It 
seemed  then  that  my  grief  at  his  loss  was  an  affliction 
which  could  not  be  equalled^  but  I  have  since  learned  that 
the  death  of  a  Christian,  while  we  may  mourn  the  loss 
deeply,  is  not  the  saddest  thing  in  life.  My  mother  mar- 
ried a  year  after.  He,  being  a  man  of  wealth,  we  were 
placed  beyond  want,  and  by  his  kind  manner  I  was  won  to 
confidence  in  him,  and  came  to  look  upon  him  as  a  father, 
owing  to  his  advanced  years  and  his  seemingly  disinterest- 
ed kindness  for  me.  My  mother  appeared  to  have  un- 
bounded confidence  in  him,  and  our  relations  were  alto- 


239 


gether  agreeable  and  harmonious,  when  I  began  to  notice 
a  change  in  his  manner  toward  me  which  1  could  not  in' 
terpret,  but  in  time,  to  my  astonishment   and  grief,   he 
wished  to   marry  me.     A  hundred   conflicting  emotions 
filled  my  heart !     I.  felt  for  him  a  daughter's  regard,  for  he 
had  seemed  to  take  the  place — so  far  as  any  one  could — 
of  that  of  my  dearly  loved  father  who  had  died.     I  was  in 
the  deepest  trouble,  which  I  dared   not   disclose  to  my 
mother,  whom  I  loved  equally  well  with  my  sainted  father. 
I  could  not  tell  her  of  the  duplicity  of  her  husband,  as  she 
still  appeared  to  hold  him  in  the  highest  esteem.     I  spent 
no  time  in  idle  tears,  but  knew  that  some   decisive   step 
must  be  taken  at  once.     1  almost  felt  at  times  that  the  God 
whom  I  had  been  taught  in   early   childhood  to  revere 
wo.uld  not  look  upon  the  act  of  suicide  as  past  being  for- 
given; but  after  a  time  a  healthier  condition  of  mind  took 
the  place  of  the  morbid  one  and  I  began  to  cast  aside  all 
unreasonable  intentions.    I  tried  to  look  at  the  matter  in 
a  sensible  light,  and  with  no  one  to  whom  I  could  go  for 
counsel  but  Him  who  hears  the  cry  of  the  troubled  and 
weary,  I  at   length   decided  upon  a  plan  oi  action.     My 
mother  and  her  liusband  were  absent  from  home,  and  I  at- 
tired myself  in  my  brother's  garments,  and  taking  a  small 
amount  of  money  proceeded  on  foot  for  a  short  distance 
on  the  line  which  I  knew  to  be  the  route  traversed  by 


nr 


11 


1  =  ■ 


'mmiimmmmm:^ 


II 


240 


jli 


] 


I  i 


wagons  conveying  freight  to  Atchison,  and  engaged  as 
teamster  to  drive  through.  The  train-master  treated  me 
with  the  greitest  consideration,  always  shielding  me  from 
anything  which  required  much  heavy  labor,  and  in  every 
way  showed  his  generous  nature  by  favoring  me.  I  some- 
times wondered  if  he  did  not  suspect  that  I  was  fleeing 
from  the  horrors  of  polygamy — at  least,  I  shall  always  re- 
gard him  with  the  sincerest  gratitude  for  his  studied  kind- 
ness to  mo.  I  alwjiys  felt  when  he  was  near  that  I  was 
safe.  My  own  consciousness  of  disguise  and  the  fear  of 
detection  made  me  unusually  watchful  and  sensitive;  wh'^e 
I  knew  that  I  was  justifiable  in  protecting  myself  I  i 
nervous  dread  of  exposure  and  ridicule.  I  would  have 
been  glad  to  kiss  my  mother  good  bye,  who  had  always 
been  kind  and  affectionate  to  me,  but  I  could  not  do  so 
without  fear  of  detection.  On  the  evening  of  my  depart- 
ure my  little  brother  Harry  whom  I  loved  so  tenderly, 
whose  soft  arms  were  about  my  neck,  and  whose  childish, 
prattle,  which  had  always  been  so  sweet  before,  now  cut 
me  to  the  very  heart,  for  I  knew  that  I  must  soon  leave 
him.  How  much  I  wanted  to  take  him  in  my  arms  and 
bring  him  with  me  !  But  I  could  not  long  indulge  in  tender 
sentiments,  for  1  must  hasten  my  preparations  for  flight, 
and  when  the  rosy  little  fellow  was  asleep  I  kissed  him  for 
the  last  time,  with  my  heart  well  nigh  bursting  with  grief." 


241 

"In  what  way  did  you  learn  of  our  residence  in  St.  Jo- 
BCpb  ?"  asked  Edna. 

"A  letter  came  to  your  father  from  you  the  day  before  I 
started  and  I  heard  its  contents  read  while  there.  I  had 
been  waiting  for  some  developments — I  hardly  knew  what 
— by  which  an  avenue  of  escape  would  be  opened,  and 
this  seemed  the  very  one  for  which  I  had  been  waiting, 
and  notwithstanding  I  was  conscious  that  I  was  taking  a 
fearful  risk  I  was  so  distressed  with  the  condition  of  mat- 
ters at  home  that  I  acted  at  once  upon  my  decision.  And 
now,  here  I  am  ready  and  but  too  villing  to  earn  enough 
to  reach  my  uncle  residing  in  Philadelphia,  and  to  whom  I 
shall  write,  telling  him  of  my  coming,"  and  the  tired  home- 
less girl,  with  her  arms  about  Edna's  neck,  sobbed  oat  her 
pent  up  sorrow. 

She  was  now  among  friends,  and  their  assurances  of  as- 
sistance, and,  more  than  all  else,  their  kind  reception — 
which  is  not  of  necessity  expressed  in  words — impressed 
her  with  a  sense  of  welcome. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  captain  the  story  was  rehearsed 
to  him  by  his  wife,  and  the  generous  hearted  man  furnished 
money  with  which  to  purchase  a  plain  but  substantial 
wardrobe,  and  after  the  expiration  of  two  weeks  Agnes 
was  restless  to  start  for  her  uncle's  home.  The  captain 
engaged  passage  on  a  river  boat  which  took  her  to  St. 


I 


-  - .. . 


.^.il 


"mmmmmm0Mm 


SM 


il  l[. 


242 

Louis,  thence  to  Cairo,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi,  thence  on  the  Ohio  to  Wheeling,  West  Vir- 
ginia, from  which  point  she  took  stage  to  Baltimore,  Md., 
and  from  that  place  to  Philadelphia,  where  she  was  warm- 
ly welcomed  by  her  uncle's  family. 

In  time  a  letter  came  from  her  to  the  captain  and  hicv 
wife  full  of  grateful  expressions  for  their  sympathy  as  well 
as  the  timely  aid  which  they  had  rendered  her  when  she 
so  much  needed  it,  the  lines  in  many  places  being  blotted 
by  her  tears. 

The  captain  had  but  partially  recovered  as  yet,  and 
thought  that  a  trip  to  the  west  might  prove  beneficial. 
Just  at  this  juncture  the  gold  excitement  of  California  be- 
gan to  bring  crowds  of  people  from  every  conceivable  di- 
rection in  the  United  States,  who  were  wild  with  the 
thoughts  of  filling  their  coffers  with  gold  in  a  brief  period 
of  time,  many  leaving  lucrative  positions  to  rush  to  the 
gold  fields,  some  even  fancying  that  the  precious  metal 
lay  but  a  little  way  beneath  the  surface,  and  others,  that  it 
could  be  collected  in  nuggets  lying  promiscuously  about 
and  could  be  had  by  simply  gathering  it  up. 

St.  Joseph  being  a  point  on  the  Missouri  easy  of  access, 
and  much  traveled,  being  a  thoroughfare  for  the  hopeful 
gold  seekers,  the  wharves  were  packed  with  every  con- 
ceivable style  of  team  and  conveyance — from  the  antiqu- 


243 


Ohio  and 

Vest  Vir- 
ore,  Md., 
as  warm- 

1  and  hi  a 
y  as  well 
'^hen  she 
?  blotted 

yet,  and 
eneficial. 
[ornia  be- 
ivable  di- 

with  the 
Bf  period 
3h  to  the 
us  metal 
's,  that  it 
ly  about 

f  access, 

hopeful 

ery  con- 

autiqa* 


ated  ox-cart  to  the  best  equipped  wagon,  neatly  painted, 
and  protected  by  a  substantial  cover,  drawn  by  sleek, 
shining  horses,  in  fine  condition,  who,  like  their  owner, 
seemed  to  be  eager  to  be  on  their  way.  The  crowd  was 
so  great  that  thronged  the  landing  places  that  the  militia 
was  called  into  requisition  to  clear  away  the  throng  in  or- 
der to  enable  the  merchants  to  load  their  goods  into  drays 
to  be  conveyed  to  their  respective  destination,  and  also 
that  the  outgoing  vessels  might  be  loaded  with  the  desired 
freight.  The  officials  were  obliged  to  drive  the  emigrants 
back  from  the  ferryboats  that  the  ferryman  might  not  be 
crowded  and  annoyed  by  the  importunities  of  the  eager 
multitude  determined  to  cross  the  river,  that  they  might 
arrive  in  California  in  time  to  secure  the  much  coveted 
gold.  The  greatest  confusion  prevailed,  as  the  impatient, 
excited  and  waiting  people  ran  hither  and  thither  vainly 
trying  to  elude  the  officers  and  in  some  way  get  across  the 
Missouri  river,  which  was  such  a  barrier  between  them  and 
the  far  distant  and  promising  country.  To  make  the  dis- 
tress still  greater,  that  dreaded  fV'^^ease — cholera — began 
to  prevail  among  the  people  w:\Uing  to  cross  the  river, 
and  whose  crowded  condition  made  it  almost  impossible 
for  them  to  observe  the  laws  of  health. 

The  city  was  quarantined,  and  as  a  result  the  supply  of 
Tegetables  and  fruit  became  scarce,  but  by  an  arrangement, 


lli 


t  '■ 


d 


) 


244 

soon  made  between  the  producer  and  dealers,  supplies 
were  left  where  the  grocerymen  could  go  out  and  bring  in 
the  much-needed  edibles,  so  that  the  distress  in  that  di- 
rection was  only  of  temporary  duration.  All  possible 
manner  of  sanitary  measures  were  employed  that  the  mor- 
tality might  decrease,  but  notwithstanding  this,  many  died 

— sometimes  sweeping  away  a  whole  family — in  one  in- 
stance, out  of  a  family  of  ten,  only  two  remaining. 

People  from  the  east,  with  very  crude  ideas  of  crossing 
the  plains,  came  with  wagons  laden  with  quantities  of  feed, 
flour,  bacon  and,  other  kindred  bulky  articles,  not  realiz- 
ing as  they  proceeded  on  their  journey,  and  their  horses 
became  worn  with  the  trip,  that  every  additional  pound 
was  a  burden  to  the  fast  wearying  animals,  already  having 
traveled  many  miles,  and  many  more  before  them. 

Captain  Rocky  was  employed  to  direct  a  company  of 
these  adventurers  out  as  far  as  the  Blue  river.  After 
crossing  the  Missouri  and  proceeding  to  the  summit  of  the 
hill  lying  just  west  of  St.  Joseph,  the  road  began  to  pre- 
sent a  strange  appearance,  being  strewn  with  sacks  of 
flour  and  bacon  which  had  been  thrown  away  in  order  to 
lighten  the  loads  which  had  become  too  much  of  a  bur- 
den, as  they  daily  became  more  weary,  disheartened,  and 
in  many  instances,  sick.  The  farther  on  the  journey  they 
proceeded  the  evidences  of  more  discouragement  became 


aimmmmmt 


mpplies 
)ring  in 
that  di- 
)ossible 
lie  mor- 
iiy  died 
one  in- 

rossing 
of  feed, 
t  realiz- 
horses 
pound 
having 

pany  of 
After 
b  of  the 
to  pre- 
cks  of 
rder  to 
a  bur- 
d;  and 
y  they 
became 


245 

evident  by  the  increased  quantities  of  feed,  flour  and  ba- 
«on,  which  in  some  places  assumed  quite  large  proportions; 
but  it  was  not  only  in  this  particular  spot,  but  all  along 
for  fifty  miles  out  he  saw  this  terrible  waste  which  in  uttei' 
hopelessness  had  been  placed  in  piles  on  either  side  of  the 
road.  But  the  most  sickening  sight  which  they  beheld 
was  that  of  a  cayote  crossing  the  road  and  fleeing  at  their 
approach  across  the  prairie,  carrying  in  its  mouth  the  bone 
of  a  human  being;  the  victim  undoutedly  dying  from  chol- 
era contracted  when  crowded  in  the  hot,  stifling  air  of  St. 
Joseph.  The  remains  had  been  so  imperfectly  buried — if 
at  all — that  it  became  the  prey  of  the  wolf.  Another 
heart-rending  sight  was  that  of  a  man  whose  horses  had 
died,  leaving  him  sick  in  his  wagon,  with  no  one  but  an  oc- 
casional passer-by  to  give  him  .  few  draughts  of  water  to 
cool  his  fevered,  parched  tongue.  The  party  stopped  and 
lifted  him  from  the  wagon,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  cle  used 
and  aired  his  scanty  bedding,  bathed  his  filthy  hands  and 
face,  over  which  the  flies  and  gnats  swarmed  in  great  num- 
bers, and  leaving  a  small  supply  of  water,  replaced  him 
again  in  the  wagon.  One  of  the  more  thoughtful  wrote  in 
a  legible  hand  the  words :  "And  whosoever  shall  give  to 
drink  unto  one  of  these  little  ones,  a  cup  of  cold  water 
only,  in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  he 
shall  in  no  wise  lose  his  reward,"  and  placed  it  conspicu- 


n 


f'  3 


11 


i 


f 


!ii 


246 

on  sly  on  the  wagon  that  the  outgoing  travelers  might  read 
the  words  and  be  t  ouched  with  a  Samaritan  spirit  and 
minister  to  his  needs. 

Upon  the  captain's  return  he  was  quite  curious  to  learn 
of  the  fate  of  the  poor  man,  but  as  both  the  wagon  and 
its  occupant  were  gone  he  could  only  conjecture  what  the 
sequel  might  have  been. 

He  had  scarcely  commenced  his  return  journey,  which 
was  accomplished  on  horseback,  before  he  was  urged  to 
carry  to  St.  Joseph  letters  which  the  anxious  travelers 
wished  to  have  mailed.  As  he  had  provided  himself  with 
a  sack  for  the  purpose,  being  aware  of  the  eagerness  of 
the  travelers  to  send  back  to  waiting  friends  tidings  of 
their  progress,  health  and  hopes.  The  remuneration  for 
carrying  these  messages  being  one  dollar  each  for  their 
safe  entrance  to  the  office,  he  realized  a  handsome  sum  for 
his  trouble,  as  he  was  constantly  meeting  those  who  wish- 
ed to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  sending  a 
few  words  to  the  loved  ones,  and  by  the  time  he  reached 
St.  Joseph  the  sack  was  packed  to  its  utmost  capacity. 

Some  few  of  these  gold  seekers  accumulated  fortunes 
itt  a  few  months,  while  many  others  spent  all  they  brought 
with  them  and  returned  home  poorer,  but  wiser,  than  when 
they  left. 

One  route  was  by  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  that  line  of 


247 


travel  being  fraught  with  danger  of  which  the  hopeful  ad- 
venturer was  partially  unacquainted,  and  although  many 
promising  youth  and  gray-haired  men  who  inhaled  the  poi- 
sonous air  pervading  that  particular  locality,  contracted 
diseases  which  terminated  fatally,  yet,  as  the  poet  has  it: 
"Each  man  thinks  all  men  mortal  but  himself."  Not  learn- 
ing from  the  experiences  of  the  past,  they  ventured  on  the 
same  ground  which  had  proved  the  last  resting  place  of 
hundreds  who  had  gone  before  him,  and  often  to  himself. 

The  valley  of  the  San  Joaquin  not  only  showed  im- 
mense deposits  of  gold,  but  also  of  quicksilver,  as  well  as 
iron  ore.  So  rich  did  the  gold  mines  prove  that  in  1850 
the  United  States  mint  had  received  $32,500,000  worth  of 
gold  from  California. 

The  first  mail  sent  to  the  state — leaving  New  York  city 
in  October,  1848 — was  conveyed  by  way  of  Cape  Horn^ 
one  bag  being  suflBcient  to  contain  the  amount  of  mail 
matter  on  that  trip.  The  next  was  taken  across  the  Isth- 
mus of  Panama,  and  the  remarkable  immigration  to  Cali- 
fornia in  the  intervening  time  made  it  necessary,  in  order 
to  accommodate  the  increased  amount,  to  provide  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  bags  for  its  conveyance. 

The  postage  from  one  point  to  another  within  the  state, 
or  from  there  to  Oregon,  was  at  that  time  12  1-4  cents;  to 
any  other  point  in  the  United  States,  40  cents.    The  natu-^ 


t% 


m-:.    hi 


r 


^^—^m^^^sofv^^amm 


ii '  liil 


"'% 


248 

ral  results  of  so  large  a  number  of  men  from  all  the  walks 
of  life  being  thrown  together  with  the  prime  object — love 
of  wealth — would  not  tend  to  bring  out  the  better  part  of 
the  nature,  but  the  condition  of  society  was  perhaps  n  jt 
so  bad  as  one  might  imagine.  As  a  resident  clergyman 
says : 

"No  sober  man  can  look  candidly  upon  a  community 
gathered  so  rapidly  as  ours  without,  seeming  to  speak  en- 
tirely within  bounds,  as  fair  a  representation,  in  every  class 
of  our  citizens,  of  enterprise,  of  capacity,  of  love  of  or- 
der, respect  for  law,  and  reverence  for  religion,  as  can  be 
found  among  the  same  classes  at  home ;  and  this,  too,with 
gigantic  temptations  to  encounter,  with  no  strong  force  of 
settled  public  opinion  to  bear  upon  them,  removed  from 
the  sacred  guardianship  of  home,  and  from  the  thousand 
refined  and  delightful  resources  which  are  there  every- 
where opened  for  the  mind  and  heart." 


249 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


Proposed  Trip  to  the  Gold  Fields  of  California — News 
from  Home — Visit  to  Wisconsin — Lead  Mines — Re- 
turn Trip — Sterling  Price's  Raid. 

Complete  arrangements  now  having  been  made,  even  to 
the  loading  of  the  wagons  with  provisions  and  other  arti- 
<jles  adequate  to  the  success  of  so  extended  a  trip,  the 
captain  sauntered  down  to  the  landing  the  day  before  his 
intended  departure  for  California,  and  was  watching  the 
passengers  as  they  stepped  from  the  steamer  onto  the  pier. 

The  much  traveled  lady  and  gentleman,  apparently  per- 
fectly at  home,  leisurely  moving  out  to  a  waiting  carriage, 
followed  by  a  colored  waiter,  bringing  sundry  parapherna- 
lia  of  travel,  when  immediately  behind  them,  by  way  of 
contrast,  the  excited,  nervous,  elderly  lady,  who  is  making 
her  first  trip  by  steam,  and  remembers  of  reading  from 
her  well-worn  bible  in  her  quiet  country  home  something 
of  "Babel,"  and  wonders  if  it  were  anything  to  compare 
with  the  confusion  which  every  where  greets  her  ears.  The 
discordant  cries  of  the  hackmen,  mingled  with  the  mur- 
mur of  voices,  and  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  steamer  unite 
to  make  the  din  more  unbearable.  She  appears  to  think 
her  baggage — consisting  of  a  band-box,  a  big  and  little 
satchel,  lunch  basket  and  umbrella — is  in  imminent  danger 


mmnwmmisti.fm', 


HPWHI 


i.  '     ■  ■ 

1     ■       1 ' 

5         i ; 

250 


of  being  taken  by  the  swarm  of  porters,  setting  forth  in 
glowing  terms  their  respective  hotels,  and  she  grimly 
holds  fast  her  possessions.  With  a  look  of  anxious,  soli- 
citous inquiry  on  her  furrowed  face,  which  gives  place  to 
one  of  pleasure  as  a  sturdy,  sun-burned  man,  apparently 
about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  pronounces  the  name — 
mother.  Her  cherished  baggage  is  now  forgotten  and  the 
mother's  arms  are  about  John's  neck,  whom  she  has  not 
seen  since  he  left  his  Ohio  home,  years  since,  and  came 
west  to  try  his  fortunes  with  the  restless  tide  coming  from 
the  crowded  towns  and  farms.  Apparently  the  man's  love 
is  "just  the  same  as  of  old,"  for  he  gently  and  deferentially 
stoops  and  returns  her  embrace  in  as  knightly  a  manner 
as  did  James  A.  Garfield  greet  his  mother  upon  the  day  of 
his  inauguration.  In  fact  it  has  now  become  an  axiom 
that  old-time  love,  as  a  rule,  exists  in  families  in  its  native 
simplicity,  where  fame,  fashion  and  wealth  have  not  over- 
grown the  sweet  flower  of  ''love.^' 

As  the  captain  is  standing  looking  at  the  crowd  a  gen- 
tleman touches  him  upon  the  arm,  inquiring  for  a  man 
named  Mooso.  The  interrogator  was  found  to  be  an  old 
acquaintance  of  the  captain's,  bringing  a  letter  which  con- 
tained the  news  of  the  dangerous  illness  of  his  father, 
who  now  resided  in  Wisconsin,  and  wished  to  see  him  at 
once. 


251 


So  many  years  had  elapsed  since  he  had  left  his  home 
and  duiing  that  time  he  had  not  seen  his  father,  that  he 
decided  upon  a  visit  thence,  wishing  to  see  him  before  his 
death,  if  it  were  not  already  too  late. 

The  trip  to  California  was  now  only  in  the  prospective, 
and  Edna,  who  all  the  time  had  been  averse  to  it,  urged 
that  he  go  at  once  to  visit  his  father.  After  some  hasty 
plans  in  reference  to  the  proposed  journey  it  was  decided 
that  the  family  accompany  him,  including  the  young  girl 
who  had  left  the  Mormons  when  they  first  went  to  the 
fort  and  still  remained  with  them.  In  a  few  days  tne  fam- 
ily embarked  on  a  steamer  at  St.  Joseph,  going  on  to  St. 
Louis,  from  there  up  the  Mississippi,  then  taking  a  boat  on 
he  Fever  river  to  Galena,  Ills.  In  their  route  they  passed 
through  that  portion  of  the  state  wearing  upon  its  bosom 
the  four  gem  lakes  now  environing  the  city  of  Madison. 

To  one  going  from  the  prairies  of  the  west  to  this  gar- 
den of  loveliness  the  scene  is  enchanting— almost  elysian 
— standing  on  the  eminence  containing  the  University 
buildings  and  overlooking  the  capitol  and  the  four  lakes, 
now  presenting  a  panorama  of  unrivalled  beauty,  what 
must  it  have  been  at  the  time  our  travelers  beheld  it  be- 
fore the  hand  of  Art  had  intruded  to  any  great  extent  t 

Mother  Nature  knows  just  how  much  light  and  shade, 
gold  and  green,  sunliht  and  ebon  darkness,  will  show  up^ 


^52 


her  landscapes  to  the  best  advantage.  What  can  be  more 
attractive  than  true  nature !  for  has  it  not  been  verified 
time  without  number  that  the  orator,  the  musician,  or  the 
actor  who  holds  the  greatest  power  over  the  people — were 
the  secret  to  be  analyzed — would  sum  up  in  few  words, 
"true  to  nature." 

J.  G.  Holland  was  asked  by  a  young  man  why  the  most 
of  the  charming  women  were  among  the  married  ladies,  to 
which  he  replied,  "They  are  not ;  there  is  no  incentive  to 
practice  those  little  arts  in  which  the  single  lady  indulges, 
and  as  a  result  tLey  appear  natural,  which  is  a  synonym 
for  fascination." 

As  the  trip  had  taken  upwards  of  ten  days  his 
father's  health  had  improved  and  danger  was  now  past. 
Upon  arriving  the  captain  went  immediately  to  his 
father's  house,  leaving  the  family  at  the  hotel.  The  father 
and  son  conversed  for  some  time,  before  the  old  gentle- 
man could  realize  that  the  slender  youth  whom  he  had 
bid  God  speed  on  that  brighl  spring  morning,  years  ago 
was  the  one  and  the  same  as  the  man  who  stood  before 
him.  Now  followed  inquiries  and  ejaculations  of  sur- 
prise, joy  and  grief,  as  information  first  of  one  character 
and  another  was  conveyed  from  father  to  son ;  here  the 
captain  first  learned  of  the  death  of  his  sister,  Mary.  Tears 
•ot  sorrow  coursed  down  his  cheeks  for  the  memory  of 


253 

that  sweet  child  face,  had  been  to  him  a  talisman  for  good 
through  numberless  temptations  and  trials.  How  well  he 
remembered  her  clinging  embrace,  when  he  gave  her  so 
long  ago  the  farewell  kiss. 

His  father  had  learned,  in  some  way,  that  his  son  had 
become  associated  with  the  Mormons,  and  asked  him  if  he 
like  many  others,  had  more  than  one  wife.  The  captain 
wishing  to  see  how  his  father  felt  in  regard  to  the  custom 
answered  in  an  indefinite  manner,  which  left  the  elder 
gentleman  to  draw  h's  own  conclusions,  and  he  apparent- 
ly classed  his  son  with  the  great  body  of  polygamists,  fcr 
he  promptly  informed  him  that  there  was  no  room  in  his 
house  for  a  man  with  more  than  one  wife,  and  supposed 
he  had  been  better  reaied  than  to  adopt  a  belief  of  that 
kind. 

The  captain  in  company  with  his  brother,  went  to  the 
hotel,  where  Edna  and  Elizabeth  were  introduced  to  him, 
whom  he  regarded  with  evident  aversion,  anu  did  i  ot 
hesitate  to  tell  his  brother  that  while  he  was  glad  to  see 
him  again,  he  would  have  been  better  pleased  to  see  but 
one  wife.  Elizabeth  informed  him  that  she  was  only  a 
servant  in  the  lamily,  upon  which  he  became  more  broth- 
erly in  his  manner.  It  seemed  that  the  old  grand-father's 
heart  went  out  more  tenderly  toward  b  iby  Joe  than  to 
his  own  son  who  had  so  changed,  that  in  his  feebleness 


Si 


i 


1 


n 


;1 


i   ,  ■    i 


l^flW— pwtWPWBWW^ 


i 


;:: 


II  „ 


264 

he  could  not  bring  himself  to  think  was  his  child,  but  the 
little  one  filled  the  vacant  place  in  the  childish  heart  of 
the  old  man,  who  never  seemed  to  tire  of  carressing  and 
kiss'ng  him,  saying,  "Now  I  have  my  Joe  back  again." 

The  captain  began  to  look  about  for  some  employment, 
and  as  this  section  of  the  state  abounded  in  valuable  lead 
mines  he  went  out  prospecting,  finding  a  rich  deposit, 
sometimes  making  in  a  few  days  such  an  amount  which,  if 
it  had  been  carefully  invested,  would  have  insured  him  a 
competence  later  in  life,  but  having  with  little  exertion  ac- 
quired so  much  in  so  short  a  time  he  became  somewhat 
intoxicated  with  his  sudden  acquisitions  and  purchased  ex- 
tensively which  proved  to  be  an  unfortunate  investment. 
After  mining  for  two  years,  alternately  making  and  losing, 
he  at  length  purchased  a  farm,  where  ho  resided,  and 
found  by  steady  application  to  his  vocation  that  he  was 
once  more  the  possessor  of  a  comparative  competence. 

But  again  the  disease  which  had  followed  him  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  assumed  a  different  form;  and  he  now  began 
to  feel  that  a  crisis  had  come,  as  physicians  informed  him 
that  a  large  tumor  must  be  removed  from  his  side  in  or- 
der to  save  his  life,  and  even  then  much  danger  attended 
its  removal,  as  he  might  not  recover  from  the  shock  of  the 
operation. 

With  his  characteristic  indifference  to  physical  suffer- 


lU 


256 

ing  he  arranged  for  the  time  for  the  visit  of  the  physi- 
cians, and  placing  himself  upon  the  operating  table  refused 
to  have  anything  of  a  relaxing  and  quieting  nature  admin- 
istered. Knowing  the  excruciating  suffering  attendant 
upon  such  an  operation  they  wished  to  secure  him  by 
binding  him  to  the  table,  but  he  resisted  all  their  attempts 
'and  was  in  consequence  left  unbound.  The  oldest  opera- 
tor, a  man  of  much  surgical  skill  and  extensive  experi- 
ence, remarked  that  a  person  of  such  nerve  and  stamina 
would  almost  invariably  bear  up  under  such  an  operation, 
and  the  prospect  was  good  for  the  sufferer  to  outlive 
them  all. 

It  is  authentically  stated  that  a  criminal  about  to  be  ex- 
ecuted was  given  over  to  a  class  in  medicine  for  experi- 
menting in  regard  to  the  influence  of  mind  over  matter, 
whereupon  he  was  taken  from  hie  cell  and  told  to  prepare 
for  death,  as  he  was  to  be  bled  until  life  became  extinct. 
A  slight  scoring  of  the  lance  brought  to  the  surface  a  lit- 
tle blood,  and,  as  he  was  blindfolded,  the  constant  drip- 
ping of  warm  water  upon  the  victim's  arm  impressed  him 
that  the  ebbing  blood  was  slowly  taking  his  life,  and  the 
conversation  of  the  students  to  the  effect  that,  according 
to  his  pulse  but  a  few  minutes  remained  to  him  in  this 
world,  overcame  him  to  such  an  extent  that  he  actually 
expired. 


i^  I 


m 


256 

Edna  looked  npon  her  husband,  as  she  thought,  for  the 
last  time,  but  he  cheerfully  assured  her  that  he  would  b  > 
himself  again  in  a  few  days;  J»nd  all  this  time,  while  we 
have  been  wandering  oflP  after  the  criminal,  our  hero  has 
been  patiently  awaiting  the  tortures  of  the  surgeon's  knife. 
It  is  needless  to  say,  that  although  his  sufferings  were 
great,  save  with  a  few  admonitions  to  hasten  the  work,  he 
bore  it  all  with  fortitude,  and  now  lives  with  his  glory  of 
silver  hair  to  tell  the  story. 


Ill 


i;i 


267 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


fT^ 


•11    : 


Elizabeth's  Future — Rural  Life. 

Elizabeth  had  come  to  look  upon  Edna  and  the  captain 
with  the  affection  of  a  daughter,  and  always  remembering, 
with  true  gratitude,  the  time  when  she  was  driven  to  the 
necessity  of  seeking  their  protection,  which  saved  her 
from  a  life  worse  than  death.  As  time  wore  on  she  seemed 
to  forget  in  a  measure  her  former  life,  remembering  it  as  a 
sort  of  dream,  but  always  speaking  with  great  aversion  of 
tho  Mormons  and  their  practices.  Never,  like  some,  did 
she  forget  the  debt  of  gratitude  which  she  owed  her  kind 
benefactors,  who  reciprocated  her  affection  with  the  care 
of  parents,  giving  counsel  and  admonitions  which  she  du- 
tifully heeded. 

To  the  growing  family  she  siuod  in  the  relations  of  au 
elder  sister,  ministering  to  their  many  wants  and  demands, 
with  the  cheerful  acquiescence  which  characterized  every 
thing  which  she  did;  after  any  kindness  bad  been  proffer- 
ed by  her,  the  recipient,  happy  and  well  pleased,  did  not 
feel  that  he  was  under  lasting  oL ligations  which  could  not 
be  repaid,  but  with  a  feeling  that  in  giving  she  had  added 
to  herself  a  store  of  ha^)pines8,  for  she  did  a  kindness  with 
Buch  whole-heartedness  and  without  grudging.  She  be- 
came in  time  almost  indespensible  to  the  family.    Edna  as 


tfe» 


II    !-T 


Is      %\. 


'iv  Ijl 


IHUpmH  win  w«m  I 


^58 


her  cares  increased  became  somewhat  fmil,  and  ETizabethi 
graddally  assumed  the  responsibility  of  the  house. 

Several  times  hands,  homes  and  hearts  were  offered 
her,  but  she  laughingly  declared  herself  too  busy  with  her 
friends  to  engage  in  a  life  work  for  herself,  and  assured 
Edna  that  she  should  never  marry  so  long  as  she  was. 
necessary  in  the  family,  to  which  the  former  woiuld  an- 
swer, you  must  not  relinquish  your  personal  happiness  foP' 
the  future  by  the  refusal  of  one  whom  you  chu  respect^ 
while  I  shall  grieve  to  part  with  you,  I  cannot  stand  in 
the  way  of  your  future  good;  but  a  careless,  indifferent 
answer  was  always  given,  which  led  the  captain  and  his. 
wife  to  conclude  that  she  was  either  proof  against  the 
matters  in  which  the  heart  iwas  involved,  or  already  her 
affections  were  enlisted  in  an  unattainable  or  unworhy 
object,  neither  of  which  surmise  was  correct. 

Already  the  summer  had  passed  and  the  lovely  autumn 
days,  full  of  mellow  softened  light,  had  come.  The  long 
summer  twilight  had  deepened  into  the  more  sombre  ones 
of  autumn;  they  had  been  of  unusual  signiticance  to  Eliza- 
beth,  for  during  that  time  had  come  into  her  life  some- 
thing altogether  new  and  for  a  time  undefined ;  feelings 
which  had  before  been  dormant  were  now  fully  awakened, 
and  as  by  a  sudden  revelation  she  was  confronted  with 
the  undeniable  fact  that  young  Develu  Tillison  had  com© 


259 


to  be  almost  a  part  of  her  nature.  This  young  man  had 
been  absent  from  his  home  during  his  parents  stay 
in  California,  who  had  gone  out  during  the  time  when 
so  many  went  to  seek  for  gold,  and  unlike  many  others 
they  had  realized  even  more  than  they  dreamed  of  wealth, 
but  even  then  Mr.  Tillison  wished  to  remain  and  invest 
more  largely,  although  now  among  the  wealthiest,  his 
thirst  for  more  had  not  been  satiated  aiid  his  last  heavy 
returns  only  inspired  him  to  continued  effort,  again  and 
again  he  ventured  and  fortune  smiled  each  time.  The  son 
in  the  meantime  hpd  become  tired  of  wandering  and  had 
returned  ;  his  grounds  adjoining  those  of  the  captain  with 
•whom  he  boarded  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  which 
we  speak,  and  the  acquaintance  begun  as  a  mere  matter 
of  mutual  pleasure  for  the  season,  had  terininated'Jin  mu- 
tual regard.  Elizabeth  concealed  nothing  from  her 
friends,  frankly  tellii.g  them  of  her  attachment  and  said: 
^'You  have  been  to  me  more  than  parents  and  as  much  as 
I  love  you  I  have  found  some  one  who  is  dearer,  and  with 
your  blessing — which  I  crave — I  will  go  out  from  the  only 
home  which  I  have  ever  known,  and  with  one  of  my  choice 
seek  to  make  a  home  well  worthy  the  name— not  a  m  ^re 
mockeiy  of  tue  word  as  it  is  in  very  many  cases." 

"To  Adam,  Paradise  was  a  home ;  to  the  good  among  his 
•descendants,  home  is  a  paradise." 


-■f! 


•I 
t 
i 


1      ■ 


^w%)ww»wp«w>ipnii1HH'i|'*iM 


!     - 
3    5! 

U 


i.    I 


ill    Ij 


'1    il 

!S'::i 
I 


260 

These  kind  friends  gave  the  desired  sanction,  and  in  ai 
few  weeks  Elizabeth  was  established  in  a  home  of  her 
own.  How  much  that  word  implies !  for  it  can  mean  so 
much  of  misery,  privation  and  distrust,  or  of  happiness, 
plenty  and  perfect  trust. 

Which  of  these  will  our  young  friends  choose  ?  for  with 
them  rests  the  responsibility  as  to  whether  they  will  have 
it  as  divinely  intended,  or,  on  the  other  hand,  a  place  which 
none  will  care  to  <>nter.  And  now,  because  we  like  these 
young  people  so  well,  and  further,  tley  will  continue  to  be 
prominent  in  the  narrative,  we  will  iv.  t  leave  them  here,, 
but  will  call  upon  them,  choosing  one  of  those  clear,  cold 
winter  days  just  as  the  sun  is  sinking  out  of  sight,  for 
we  want  the  lamps  to  be  lighted  as  we  are  ushered  into 
their  cheerful  sitting-room. 

A  certain  air  of  good  cheer  seemed  to  pervade  the- 
whole  room;  the  easy  chair  had  an  inviting,  motherly  look 
which  seemed  to  urge  one  to  try  its  virtues.  A  bright 
wood  fire  cracked  and  sparkled  with  a  hearty  abandon  in 
the  huge  stove.  Over  the  aiantel  hung  two  pictures  in 
massive  frames,  one  of  a  gray  haired,  keen-eyed  old  man 
whom  one  would  pronounce  at  a  glance  as  "remarkably 
shrewd;"  the  other,  the  face  of  a  woman,  while  it  is  strong 
is  also  tender.  There  is  a  wealth  of  love  in  tL'e  large,, 
brown  eyes,  which  instinctively  lead  you  to  tell  their  own> 


261 


•er  your  sorrows,  and  in  return  receive  comfort  and  cheer. 
These  are  the  portraits  of  the  father  and  mother  of  Di- 
vilu.  While  nothing  pertaining  to  the  furnishing  of  the 
room  indicates  wealth,  save  a  few  elegant  gifts — presents, 
from  the  parents — and  some  rare  flowering  plants,  it  is 
just  one  of  those  rooms  which  the  reader  sometimes  en-' 
ters  and  is  struck  with  its  simple  beauty,  and  warmth,  and 
welcome,  which  does  not  consist  of  tapestries  of  rich  and 
stylish  pattern,  but  a  home  look,  lighted  by  a  welcome  in 
the  eye,  manner  and  tone  of  the  host.  If  we  mistake  not, 
these  friends  have  found  the  true  philosophy  of  life,  judg- 
ing from  the  manner  in  which  they  regard  their  friends 
and  each  other. 

The  same  thrift  which  m  seen  within  the  dwelling  is  man- 
ifest without  upon  the  farm,  where  the  sleek  cows  in  sum- 
mer crop  the  crisp,  green  grass  in  the  morning  dew,  and 
drink  from  the  clear  stream,  many  of  which  flow  through 
the  green  meadows  of  that  state,  looking  in  the  distance 
like  silver  threads  laced  in  and  out  in  their  tortuous  course. 
Early  in  the  day  the  contented  animals  seek  the  shade  of 
the  queen  of  the  northern  forest — the  sugar  mapl*^8  which 
border  their  pasture — and  quietly  chew  their  cud.  The 
full  pails  of  frothy  milk  at  night,  when  driven  home,  being 
evidence  of  the  fresh  and  plentiful  repast  of  the  day. 
This  in  turn  becomes  covered  with  rich  cream  and  is  con- 


i 


ii  f 


11 : 


^ 


u  . 


1     i'    ;■  :: 

■i!  i  ■,; 

1  ■)   1    ■    ^ 

■;! ! 

a          '    '  'r'  ' 

•!  j 

iiMM 

m 


262  • 

verted  into  rolls  of  golden  butter  under  the  skillful  hand 
of  Elizabeth. 

A  certain  city  cousin  once  rusticating  in  a  country  home 
supposed  the  cream  of  country  milk,  like  the  "widow's 
oil,"  to  be  inexhaustible.  Much  to  the  hostess'  surprise 
and  consternation,  she  found  her  pans  daily  robbed  of 
their  rich  treasures,  the  city  friend  innocently  assuring 
her  that  "more  would  rise." 

At  that  time  the  large  amount  of  small  grain  cultivated 
filled  the  granr.rles  to  overflowing,  so  immense  were  the 
yields  to  th^  fiirmer.  He  yearly  added  to  his  store  of 
worldly  goo :1s,  and  to  tlis  couple  were  vouchsafed  suc- 
cess, which  always  follows  intelligent  application  and  in- 
dustry. 

To  one  favored  by  being  a  resident  of  a  thriving,  intel- 
ligent farming  community,  he  can  understand  the  pleas- 
ures of  those  long,  delightful  winter  evenings,  so  quiet 
and  retired,  far  from  the  stir  and  '^xcitement  of  city  life 
What  visions  they  bring  of  fragrant,  crackling,  hickory 
fires,  the  pitcher^  of  sweet  cider,  and,  like  Whittier'a 
snow-bound  "apples  sputtering  fn  a  row  !"  Those  long, 
neighborly  talks  in  which  the  elders  engaged,  and  in  an 
adjoining  room  the  children  make  the  house  ring  with 
their  gleeful  shouts  as  the  old-fashioned  games  of  "blind- 
man's  buflf,"  "pussy  in  a  corner,"  and  many  others,  sup- 


263 


planted  now  by  the  more  modern  ones  of  jack-stones  and 
parlor  croquet. 

Some  years  before  a  book  penned  by  inspiration — if 
the  term  is  admissible — bad  been  read  and  praised  by 
thousands,  in  many  tongues  and  countries;  and  although 
so  many  years  have  passed,  and  the  great  vital  principle 
Avhich  gave  it  life  has  something  over  a  score  of  years 
^ince  been  cancelled  by  a  few  strokes  of  the  pen  of  the 
immortal  Lincoln,  a  volume  of  it  may  be  found  in  nearly 
every  well-chosen  library,  and  in  many  cases  bearing  a 
date  of  late  publication;  the  fact  being  patent  it  has  not 
lost  favor  by  lapse  of  time  and  passed,  like  thousands  of 
books,  into  obscurity  after  the  first  reading.  This  book 
was  under  discussion  upon  one  of  the  evenings  of  which 
we  speak.  Elizabeth  had  presented  her  husband  with  a 
copy  of  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  as  a  Christmas  gift  a  few  weeks 
previous,  and,  like  many  others,  they  were  charmed 
with  iis  contents,  and  had  already  loaned  it  to  the  Lewis 
family,  living  near,  and  who  were  the  guests  of  the  even- 
ing. The  contents  were  being  discussed  pro  and  con;  as 
to  its  superior  style  of  expression  add  its  graphic  word-pic- 
tures. No  one  considered  himself  competent  to  criticize. 
Mr.  Lewis,  with  strong  pro-slavery  sentiments,  produced 
the  stereotyped  arguments  which  had  so  long  been  used 
by    the    northerner    of    southern  principles,    and    was 


;S'i 


a 


'    < 


■i:  ,! 


264 

but  the  outgrowth  of  those  advanced  by  men  in  the 
south  whose  moneyed  interests  were  in  jeopardy  should 
slavery  be  abolished.  To  the  slaveholder,  the  all-absorbing 
and  enslaving  passion  of  personal  gain  overshadowed  the 
principle  of  equity;  and  while  even  palliating  circumstan- 
ces cannot  adjust  a  wrong,  he  can  better  be  excused  than 
he  who  was  reared  in  the  free  north,  breathing  the  free 
air,  allowed  free  speech,  he  himself  free,  his  wife  and  chil 
dren  his  own,  his  property  interests  safe,  for  him  there 
could  simply  be  no  excuse. 

The  conversation  gradually  led  off  from  the  book  into 
the  following : 

MMr.  Tillison,  I  hear  your  father  is  in  the   south   and 
about  to  purchase  a  cotton  plantation  and  the  slaves  there 
on.     Am  I  correctly  informed  f ' 

"I  heard  from  him  a  short  time  ago  and  he  was  then  ne- 
gotiating for  a  warehouse;  also  thinking  of  purchasing  a 
plantation  in  Texas,  and  he  will  undoubtedly  consummate 
the  purchase,"  said  Divilu. 

"Well  now  that  has  the  right  kind  of  ring,  lucky  fellow 
that  he  is.  His  dish  is  always  right  side  up  when  it  rains 
pearls.  I  know  of  nothing  that  would  be  better  to  my  lik- 
ing than  to  have  suflQcient  means  to  become  the  owner  of 
just  such  a  plantation  and  have  it  well  stocked  with  slaves 
whom  I  could  have  go  at  my  will." 


265 

"Really,  Mr.  Lewis,  you  should  have  opened  your  eyes 
to  the  light  of  day  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line  instead 
of  in  the  abolition  north;  here  it  cannot  be  as  much  to 
your  tastes  as  in  the  former,  where  you  would  un- 
doubtedly have  found  congenial  spirits,"  Divie  said  with 
a.  show  of  irony,  which  Mr.  Lewis  did  not  appear  to  no- 
tice, but  went  on  to  say — "I  assure  you  nothing  could 
have  given  me  more  pleasure,  unless  as  I  just  remarked, 
being  the  possessor  of  the  property  of  your  father.  I 
think  I  was  born  to  rule,  and  I  also  believe  the  negro  was 
divinely  made  a  slave." 

"Now,  Mr.  Lewis,  nothing  so  tries  me  as  to  hear  one 
giving  this  question  of  slavery  an  appearance  of  divine 
sanction,  which  is  but  a  hypocritical  cloak;  not  only  used 
to  throw  over  this  special  monstrosity,  but  in  numberless 
ways  it  is  used,  much  like  an  armor  to  protect  ones  self 
from  the  sharp  arrow  of  truthfal  argument.  I  have  seen 
this  carried  so  far  that  in  a  few  instances  I  have 
known  an  angry  person  to  call  upon  God  in  prayer  when 
in  tone,  gesture  and  even  words,  it  bore  the  sem- 
blance of  rage. 

There  are  but  two  ways,  right  and  wrong,  if  it  is  not 
right  to  hold  in  bondage  the  black  man  then  it  becomes 
an  axiom  that  it  is  wrong." 

"I  am  astonished  that  you   should  express  such  senti 


I: 


!W 


ll! 


ill 


266 

ment8,"  said  Mr.  Lewis,  "as  I  have  understood  that  your 
father  intends  taking  you  as  his  partner  and  installing 
you  overseer  when  he  settles  upon  his  plantation.  I  imag- 
ine I  see  you  now  with  your  plantation  hat  and  your  long 
whip  lording  it  over  the  wooly  heads.  I  think  you  will 
get  over  your  scruples  and  enter  into  the  work  with  real 
interest.     I  only  wish  it  were  I  who  had  the  offer." 

"I  wish  it  were.  It  is  true  father  has  already  made 
such  a  proposition,  but  I  have  not  yet  accepted.  I  feel 
but  little  enthusiasm  when  thinking  of  such  a  plan.  The 
black  rascals  are  not  to  be  trusted.  Why  only  a  few  nights 
since  a  great  burly  fellow,  running  away  from  his  ia\7fal 
master,  came  to  my  door  begging  something  to  eat." 

"Which  you  of  course  gave  him,  as  I  never  knew  any 
one  to  go  hungry  from  the  door  of  James  Lewis." 

"Most  certainly  I  did  not.  I  would  then  have  violated 
the  fugitiv^e  slave  law." 

Elizabeth  here  exchanged  significant  glances  with  her 
husband,  and  having  up  to  this  time  remained  a  silent  but 
not  uninterested  listener,  exclaimed  with  unfeigned  sur- 
prise, "You  did  not  turn  even  a  black  man  from  your 
door.  I  would  have  and — have"  here  a  deprecating  look 
from  her  husband  silenced  her — but  she  resumed,  "never 
supposed  that  any  one  fleeing  like  a  hunted  hare  could 


•■"f-:!,!.:.' 


.i:,,.,.^\Siy:i,.^,dL,'Jik,  ■ 


lat  yoar 
stalling 
I  imag- 
our  long 
you  will 
nth  real 

3y  made 
.  I  feel 
in.     The 

w  nights 
is  la\7ful 
It." 

new  any 

violated 

rith  her 
lent  but 
led  8ur- 

m  your 

ig  look 

"never 

B  could 


267 

have  found  one  in  our  vicinity  who  would  withhold  a 
mere  pittance  of  ^ood." 

''Mrs.  Tillison  you  do  not  understand  me,  the  laws  of 
my  country  must  be  obeyed,  the  fugitive  slave  law  only 
protects  the  property  owner." 

With  her  eyes  suffused  with  tears  she  said,  "no  fugitive 
shall  go  unfed  or  unclothed  from  my  door,  and  you  know 
that  if  a  hungry  dog  should  come  craving  a  bone  you 
would  give  it." 

"But  there  is  no  law  against  that." 

"And  there  is  a  divine  law  which  prompts  me  to  feed 

the  hungry  and  clothe  the  nuked,  and  I  must  say  that  I 

shall  heed  that  admonition  which  is  promp    d  by  a  desire 

to  practice  the   golden  rule.     If  I  had  the  power  to-day 

I  would  break  the  fetters  of  the  four  millions  of  slaves 

and  the  master  would  live  to  bless  me  in  the  future,  as  well 

y 

as  the  slave,  for  to  both  it  is  degrading  in  the  extreme.' 
"Why,  really,  Elizabeth,'  Haid  Divilu,  "you  are  waxing 
eloquent  upon  the  subject.  You  are  becoming  quite  an 
abolitionist,  and  your  arguments  compare  very  favorably 
with  the  abolitionist  whom  1  heard  speak  at  Milwaukee 
last  week,  and  he  did  not  deny  being  the  blackest  sort." 

"Term  me  such  if  you  wish.  My  views  are  just  such  as. 
I  consider  right,  and  they,  like  wine,  will  strengthen  with 
age." 


■■  tf  M 


r" 


\ 


•'m:: 


268 

"Well,  Mrs.  Tillison,  I  do  not  see  as  you  can  change  my 
views,  and  I  am  convinced  it  would  be  worse  than  uselcHs 
to  try  to  change  yonrs." 

"Yes,  mine  are  fixed,"  she  said,  decidedly. 

"Then,  as  it  is  getting  late,  we  must  return,  and  at  some 
future  time  we  may  discuss  this  further." 

Pleasant  good  nights  were  said,  and  as  the  door  closed 
upon  their  retreating  forms  Elizabeth  said : 

"Why  were  you  so  careful  that  Mr.  Lv^wis  should  know 
nothing  of  the  assistance  we  rendered  that  poor  black  fel- 
low?" 

"I  feared  with  such  a  strong  sympathy  as  he  manifested 
for  the  south,  if  he  knew  of  it,  there  might  serious 
trouble  come  of  it." 

In  order  that  the  reader  may  urlerstand  the  latter  con- 
versation we  will  take  him  back  a  few  days.  As  the  wor- 
thy couple  were  seated  at  their  evening  meal  a  timid  rap 
at  the  door,  so  faint  as  to  be  hardly  perceptible,  attracted 
their  attention,  and  upon  opening  it  Mr.  Tillison 
saw  crouching  in  the  shadow  a  colored  man,  who  asked 
for  something  to  eat.  He  was  allowed  to  enter,  and  seat- 
ed by  the  glowing  kitchen  stove  he  warmed  his  benumbed 
limbs  and  was  supplied  with  a  hot  and  bountiful  supper, 
•eating  like  one  who  had  been  without  food  until  nearly 
starved. 


change  my 
an  aseIeH8 


id  at  some 

3or  closed 

uld  know 
•  black  fel- 

Qanifested 
it   serious 

atter  con- 
8  the  wor- 
timid  rap 
attracted 
Tillison 
'ho  asked 
and  seat- 
enumbed 
I  supper, 
il  nearly 


269 

After  the  frightened  fellow  had  recovered  himself  so 
that  he  could  talk  in  a  manner  to  be  understood,  they 
drew  from  him  the  following  account : 

His  master  owned  a  large  plantation  and  employed  other 
hands  besides  his  own  slaves,  among  them  a  white  man 
named  Sands,  who  acted  in  the  capacity  of  overseer,  and 
whose  character  was  of  the  worst  type.  The  young  ne- 
gro had  a  pretty  young  sister,  a  mulatto  girl,  of  fifteen,  to 
whom  the  overseer  offered  such  indignities  that  the  broth- 
er could  no  longer  desist  from  interference,  and  the  en 
raged  man  attacked  the  black  boy,  striking  him  in  the 
face  with  his  whip.  The  pain  so  maddened  him  that  he 
dealt  Sands  such  a  blow  that  he  fell  insensible  to  the 
ground.  As  the  penalty  for  a  slave  to  strike  a  white  man 
is  death,  if  they  choose  to  execute  it,  the  negro  made  good 
his  escape  before  the  fellow  became  conscious,  and  fortu- 
nately for  the  slave,  the  master  was  away  on  a  temporary 
absence  of  a  few  days  and  no  search  would  be  made  until 
his  return.  On  the  evening  of  that  day  he  stole  back  to 
his  sister's  cabin  and  took  her  with  him,  and  through  the 
aid  of  kind  friends  she  was  disguised  in  male  attire  and 
secured  a  position  on  a  steamer  going  north,  when  she 
eventually  reached  Canada. 

After  a  month  of  hardship  and  danger  he  succeeded  in 
getting  this  far  north,  and,  forced  by  hunger,  had  sought 


'5 


1 


t 

m 


270 


their  home.  He  was  impatient  to  be  on  his  way  again,  bat 
he  was  told  that  it  would  be  safer  for  him  to  remain  until 
some  plan  of  escape  could  be  effected.  Accordingly  he 
took  refuge  in  the  garret,  where  he  rested  and  was  the 
better  prepared  for  his  journey.  Early  the  next  morning 
Mr.  Tillison,  muffled  to  the  ears  and  well  protected  by  a 
great  coat — for  the  morning  was  cold — set  out  upon  a  re- 
connoiter,  the  result  of  a  long  conference  between  himself 
and  wife,  which  lasted  well  into  the  night. 

In  the  afternoon  he  might  have  been  seen  driving  into 
his  yard  as  he  was  returning  from  his  trip.  His  wife  eager- 
ly met  him  at  the  doer  to  learn  the  result  of  hin  investiga- 
tion. He  told  her  that  it  was  all  arranged,  and  to-night, 
at  ten,  they  must  be  in  readi  less,  for  they  must  be  off. 

"You  are  not  going  alone  f" 

"Yes,  it  is  best.  The  distance  is  not  great  to  the  first 
station,  and  the  most  peril jius  part  of  the  journey  is  after 
reaching  Savine's,  who  will  accompany  me  to  the  second 
station." 

The  young  wife  looked  thoughtful,  and  said.  "It  is  a 
just  cause,  Divie,  and  I  feel  sure  you  will  be  safely  return- 
ed, but  I  shall  anxiously  await  your  coming." 

At  the  appointed  time  young  Tillison  and  the  lagitive 
entered  the  conveyance  which  was  to  take  them  on  their 
journey;  and  rapidly  drove  away.  They  reached  the  home  of 


1 

^ain,  bat      I 


ain  until 
ingly  he 
was  the 
iDorning 
ed  by  a 
on  a  re- 
i  himself 

nng  into 
fe  eager- 
ivestiga- 
to-night, 
e  off. 


the  first 

'  is  after 

second 

"It  is  a 
'  return- 

Lagitive 
)n  their 
lome  of 


271 

Savine,  where  a  warm  meal  was  taken,  fresh  horses  at- 
tached to  the  wagon,  and  again  proceeded  on  their  way; 
each  well  armed,  and  although  it  was  lUought  that  an  at- 
tack might  be  made  upon  them  on  the  last  of  their  jour- 
ney, they  passed  the  most  dreaded  places  and  safely  dis- 
posed of  the  mulatto  boy,  wh  t  was  profuse  in  his  thanks 
for  their   kindness. 

Mr.  Tillison  arrived  at  his  home  at  midday  of  the  sec- 
ond day  after  his  departure,  greeted  warmly  by  Elizabeth, 
who  naturally  felt  somo  fears  as  to  her  husband's  safety. 
The  whole  affair  had  been  conducted  so  skillfully  that  no 
one  suspected  the  nature  of  Tillison's  night  adventure, 
and  after  a  few  weeks  word  was  passed  down  the  line 
of  the  "underground  railroad"  from  stations  farther  on 
that  the  hunted  fellow  had  at  last  reached  Canada  and 
founc^  his  sister. 

"It  is  muoli  to  be  deplored,"  Elizabeth  said  to  her  hus- 
band '^n  the  evening  of  his  return,  "that  a  state  of  things 
exists  that  it  becomes  necessary  to  establish  in  the  north 
a  system  of  what  is  known  as  underground  railways." 

"That  is  trufc,  but  this  need  not  be  if  legislators  enacted 
good  and  equitable  laws,  I  do  not  regret  the  action  I 
have  taken  in  this  matter  and  will  of  course  be  liable  to  a 
fine  which  I  can  pay.  Now  I  wish  that  father  would  let 
me  quietly  remain  where  I  am,  as  I  am  more  and  more 


'  r 


1% 


,«  r 


It;' 


i  '  k 


r^ih, 


'i| 


convinced  that  slavery  is  wrong  and  do  not  care  to  be 
identified  with  its  advancement.  But  father's  will  has 
always  been  law,  as  both  mother  and  i  can  bear  witness; 
and  I  suppose  I  might  as  well  quietly  submit  and  trust 
that  in  time  something  may  occur  by  which  I  may  be  :.e- 
leased  from  what  I  feel  will  prove  so  distasteful,"  he  con- 
cluded with  a  sigh. 

"But  i)erhaps  your  father  will  not  insist  upon  your  re- 
mo  x'^nl  to  the  south  and  will  make  su^h  plans  as  will  ena^ 
ble  yow  to  remain  here." 

"No  I  Elizabeth  you  do  no+  know  my  father,  there  is  al- 
most no  escape  from  hisjinexorable  despotism.  I  regret  to 
say  these  things  of  one  who  has  done  so  much  for  me, 
but  i  wish  you  to  be  fully  prepared  for  what  is  before 
you." 

"We  will  hope  for  the  best,"  said  Elizabeth  cheerfully 
"Public  sentiment  against  this  system  is  gaining  ground 
every  day,  and  1  hope  in  time  it  will  so  strengthen  that  in 
some  way — I  hardly  dare  to  think  how — it  will  be  done 
away  with." 

"I  trust  the  next  mail  will  bring  the  good  news  that 
father  has  decided  not  to  make  the  purchase,  but  I  have 
nothing  to  hope,  for  he  writes  me  that  the  agent  on  board 
the  same  vessel  with  him  insists  there  is  money  to  be 
made  by  the  investment,  and  if  there  is  any  luore  money 


,.«!r-"' — 


'^       tit 


273 

to  be  made  father  will  see  it.  He  already  has  enough  and 
as  he  cannot  carry  it  with  him,  why  does  he  persist  in 
adding  to  his  already  heavy  bank  stock.  I  will  be  con- 
tented to  si)end  my  days  here  with  you  and  baby  Rob,  for 
we  have 

"A  house  to  shelter,  enough  to  wear. 
Enough  for  comfort,  and  some  to  spare. 

Little  I've  asKed  of  wealth  or  fame, 
And  all  of  my  wished  for  blessing  s  came  " 


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574 


CHAPTER  XXVir. 

The  Purchase — A  Wife's  Regrets — Removal  to  the  South, 

]S^ear  the  close  of  the  year  1852,  Mr.  Tillison,  senior^ 
might  have  been  seen  debarking  with  his  wife  from  an 
ocean  steamer  which  plied  along  the  coast  of  Texas,  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  embarking  on  a  river  packet  go- 
ing up  the  Rio  Grande  where  they  landed  at  Columbus* 
After  looking  about  for  a  few  days  he  went  out 
to  the  plantation  whicli  the  affable  and  loquaciouti 
agent  had  set  forth  in  {.^lowing  terms,  and  upon  arriving  Mr. 
Tillison  found  to  his  surprise  that  he  had  not  overdrawn 
the  picture.  After  a  little  more  talk  and  looking  over 
the  grounds  the  old  gentleman  shrewdly  saw  that  the 
owner  was  financially  embarassed  and  he  had  the  advan^ 
tage  of  him  which  he  intcaued  to  use  unscrupulously 
Again  he  argued,  "I  can  add  a  few  more  thousands  to  my 
already  goodlj^  amount  and  in  time  shall  be  a  millionaire," 
and  ignoring  the  gentle  entreaty  of  his  wife  to  be  satis- 
tied  to  return  to  their  northern  home  and  spend  their  de- 
clining days  in  quirt  ^ijoyment,  he  invested  in  the  large 
plantation  and  all  the  slaves  thereon  with  the  exception 
of  some  of  the  house  servants  of  the  gentleman,  whom  he 
valued  so  highly  that  he  would  not  part  with  them. 


275 


Upon  Mr.  Tillison's  return  he  exultingly  told  his  wife  of 
Ms  good  fortune.  She  only  sighed  a  little  antl  covered 
her  disappointment  and  tried  to  reason  herself  into  the 
belief  that  perhaps  it  was  best;  so  many  times  in  life  had 
she  been  compelled  by  circumstances  to  accept  her  hus- 
band's will  in  the  "tead  of  her  wish  that  she  had  almost 
•come  to  expect  nothing  else.  She  even  felt  somewhat 
surprisv3d  at  herself  that  she  had  ventured  even  to  sug- 
gest to  him  to  give  up  making  more  money,  for  well  she 
knew  that  nothing  in  human  power  could  check  him  in  his 
mad  pursuit  of  wealth.  All  of  his  more  delicate  sensibil- 
ities— never  the  most  acute — became  blunted  and  deaden- 
ed, and  he  was  hardly  awake  to  anything  which  surrouL^d- 
■ed  him  unless  in  some  way  connected  with  his  idol. 

In  their  travels  they  had  seen  many  beautiful  j)ark8. 
Although  these  contained  a  wealth  of  fragrant  flowers,  a 
world  of  beauty,  and  almost  an  Eden-like  attractiveness, 
he  experienced  no  pleasure  in  the  view,  for  he  saw  naught 
that  he  cared  to  see,  hear,  or  know,  so  long  as  he  could 
be  no  richer  thereby. 

"Now  we  will  go  north  and  tell  Divie  of  all  this  bright 
prospect,  as  I  have  not  heard  from  him  since  writing,  i!jd 
I  conclude  he  did  not  get  my  letter,  or  he  would  have  an- 
swered at  once,  for  he  cannot  fail  to  3ee  the  advantages 
I  am  placing  within  his  grasp." 


i; 


276 

"I  shall  be  glad  once  more  to  see  my  son,  and  hope  his 
wife  is  well  worthy  of  him,  for  he  was  always  a  good  boy ; 
and  dear  little  Kobbie,  how  I  long  to  see  him." 

"Why,  wife,  how  your  mind  is  taken  up  with  trifles ! 
While  it  is  all  well  enough  to  be  glad  to  meet  your  friends* 
J  ou  forget  that  my  last  investment  will  make  them  better 
off,"  and  he  added,  reflectively,  "it  may  be  I  shall  make  a 
few  more  ventures  and  then  give  up  money  making." 

"I  am  ready  at  once." 

"What  sort  of  a  mood  are  you  in,  pray,  with  this  world 
so  full  of  opportunities  for  getting  gold  and  you  ready  to 
sit  down  and  let  them  all  pass  without  an  effort  to  avail 
yourself  of  them  f 

"Simply  this :  I  am  tired  of  grasping  after  more 
when  its  attainment  can  mean  nothing  but  a  few  more  dol- 
lars, which  is  so  much  additional  care." 

"I  thought  when  we  went  to  California  you  were  as 
eager  in  the  race  as  anyone." 

"So  I  was,  until  we  had  enough.  James,  what  would 
you  think,  for  instance,  if  i  should  go  out  in  a  boat  and 
begin  gathering  pearls  or  diamonds,  and  after  filling  my 
bark  until  the  weight  began  to  make  it  sink  perceptibly 
and  should  go  right  on  gathering  them  in,  regardless 
of  the  fact  that  I  should,  with  my  treasures,  be  out  of  the 
reach  of  aid  if  I  persisied  ir  my  course  ?" 


^I„ 


277 

"That  compaiison  is  not  in  keeping  w»th  good  argn- 
ment,"  he  said,  a  little  uneasily. 

Mrs.  Tillison  said  no  more,  and  wearily  looked  off  at 
some  pretty  white  cottages  along  the  shore — for  they  were 
on  the  Mississippi  river  on  their  return  trip — so  clean, 
cool  and  inviting,  standing  out  from  the  background  of 
early  spring  verdure.  Her  thoughts  took  her  back  to  the 
time,  years  ago,  wben  she  entered  much  such  a  cottage,  a 
young  wife,  consic  ering  herself  almost  rich  in  its  posses- 
sion then,  and  now  how  things  were  changed.  She  remem- 
bered that  her  young  husband  then  appreciated  beautiful 
objects,  and  had  often  assisted  her  in  training  the  flower- 
ing plants  about  the  cottage  windows.  Even  if  they  add- 
ed no  more  dollars,  they  were  a  source  of  pleasure.  What 
would  she  not  give  to  awaken  him  to  some  inter- 
est in  such  matters  now  ?  With  this  thought  uppermost 
in  her  mind  she  looked  up  only  to  find  him  absorbed  in  re- 
flections so  different  from  her  own,  and  she  wisely  fore- 
bore  speaking  of  what  was  in  her  heart.  How  they  had 
drifted  apart  in  these  forty  years  of  married  life,  and  she 
could  not  he^  wondering  who  had  been  in  fault. 

The  steamer  puffed  and  groaned  as  its  prow  cut  the  wa- 
ter in  the  river  with  a  gurgling  sound,  leaving  behind  a 
white,  feathery  foam.  As  they  are  now  over  a  hundred 
miles  above  New  Orleans -the  river  being  higher  than  the 


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278 

adjacent  country — she  can  see  a  broad  expanse  in  the  dis- 
iiince,  dotted  here  and  there  with  plantations,  in  which  the 
slaves,  in  gangs,  are  under  the  direction  of  an  overseer 
who  carries  a  large  whip.  To  her  all  these  things  are  new 
and  distasteful,  and  she  pictures  to  herself  how  she  will 
feel  when  established  as  mistress  in  her  new  southern 
home,  and  shuts  her  eyes  and  wishes  she  could  shut 
out  from  her  dizzy  brain  all  the  harrowing  thoughts  that 
uninvited,  intrude  upon  her.  But  just  the  same,  all  the 
bustle  and  chat  from  the  state-rooms  greet  her  ears.  A 
miniature  world  is  enacted  before  her,  and  she  wonders, 
with  this  seeming  gayety  about  her,  if  all  these  hearts  are 
attuned  to  the  gay  words  which  their  lips  utter. 

"Come !  come,  Mary  !"  exclaims  her  husband;  "arouse 
yourself.  What  can  you  have  to  engross  you  so  fully  and 
leave  a  frown  on  your  face?  Haven't  you  everything 
which  money  will  get  f  and  he  added,  petulantly,  "you 
ought  certainly  to  be  happy." 

With  an  evasive  answer  she  had  the  tact  to  avoid  the 
discussion  of  a  subject  which  she  knew  could  be  of  no 
benefit  to  either,  and  enters  into  a  conversation  pertain- 
ing to  business  which  she  knew  would  be  a  favorite  topic 
with  him.  To  the  casual  observer,  she  appears  among 
the  happiest,  as  he  sees  at  a  glance  the  richly  dressed 
lady  who  bears  unmistakable  evidence  of  opulence,  with- 


I 


'you 


270 

out  that  glaring  vulgarity  often  seen  in  those  who   have 
suddenly  come  into  possession  of  wealth,  and  as  a  sort  o 
advertisement  of  their  good  fortune,  tiaunt  it  before  the 
public  in  gaudy  apparel. 

The  journey  at  last  is  completed,  and  the  fond  mother 
again  greets  her  son.  The  father  in  a  business  manner 
shakes  his  hand;  the  new  daughter  is  presented,  and  be- 
tween her  and  Divie's  mother,  a  feeling  of  mutual  regard 
springs  up,  which  ripens  into  a  motherly  and  daughterly 
affection. 

Wlien  baby  Rob,  a  happy,  healthy,  rosy  little  fellow  is 
placed  in  his  grandmothers  arms,  she  showers  kisses  and 
caresses  upon  him,  and  he  with  numberless,  nameless  baby 
charms  binds  her  more  lirmly  to  him,  until  the  tender 
heart  of  the  old  lady  seems  a  well-spring  of  love  and  good 
deeds.    "Verily,  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.'' 

The  morning  after  their  arrival,  Elizabeth  found  a  sub- 
stantial evidence  of  her  mothers  regard  beneath  her  plate, 
which  was  a  check  for  an  an  amount,  so  ample,  tluit  you 
and  I,  lady  readers — many  ot  us — could  see  the  way  to 
comparative  ease,  and  leisure  for  culture  and  the  dis- 
pensing of  gifts  to  the  neody  were  we  the  recipients.  A 
little  note  accompanied  the  gift  filled  with  loving  words 
and  an  injunction  to  use  the  money  as  she  wished,  as  it 
was  hers  alone. 


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280 

Already,  Tillison,  the  elder,  was  laying  his  plans  before 
his  son  with  ample  embellishments,  to  which  the  latter 
gave  respectful  attention.  Elizabeth  anxiously  waiting  and 
wondering  what  the  result  would  be ;  and  as  her  husband 
had  predicted,  the  fathers  will  unquestionably  settled  the 
matter,  and  one  month  hence  must  see  them  on  their  way 
to  the  south. 

Business  at  the  northern  home  was  has  ened,  and  then 
came  the  breaking  away  from  old  associations  and  the 
sundering  of  ties,  which,  to  one  who  clings  aflfectionately 
to  home  and  its  surroundings  can  but  be  painful. 

The  captain  and  Edna  bid  farewell  to  Elizabeth  with  as 
much  tenderness  as  if  she  were  an  own  daughter ;  and  she 
with  grateful  remembrances  of  past  kindness,  tearfully 
turned  away. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  present  at  the  leave-taking,  warmly  ap- 
proving Mr.  Tillison's  good  sense — as  he  termed  it — in 
making  such  a  purchase  ;  and  telling  the  son  that  at  the 
expiration  of  a  year  he  would  be  as  much  in  favor  of  hold- 
ing slaves  as  any  of  the  old  planters.  ' 

A  significant  smile  being  the  only  answer  Divilu  conde- 
scended to  give;  but  inwardly  resolving  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble to  get  back  to  the  north,  as  a  long  conference  with 
his  mother  had  decided  him  to  submit  to  his  father's  wish 


281 


for  the  time,  trusting  to  future  developments  for  a  release 
from  his  obligations. 

The  Tillison's  arrived  at  the  plantation  early  in  the 
morning,  and  upon  alighting  from  the  carriage  were  peer- 
ed at  from  behind  cabins,  clumps  of  shrubbery,  and  from 
every  conceivable  place  of  partial  concealment  a  wooly 
head  might  be  seen  protruding  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  "de 
new  massa  and  missus''  who,  unused  to  these  scenes,  were 
not  a  little  discomfited. 

Mr.  Grant,  the  former  owner,  a  man  who  had  been  uni- 
formly kind  to  his  slaves,  remained  until  Mr.  Tillison 
should  arrive,  his  family  and  house  servants  going  on  be- 
fore him  to  their  future  home.  He  was  a  man  of  taste 
and  refinement  and  had  spared  neither  money  nor  pains 
in  beautifying  his  grounds ;  in  consequence  he  found  him- 
self so  involved  that  he  could  no  longer  retain  his  present 
style  of  living  honorably  and  felt  compelled  to  dispose  of 
his  belongings  in  order  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  credi- 
tors. 

The  morning  following  the  arrival  of  the  new  master, 
Mr.  Grant's  obligations  now  having  been  fulfilled,  and  his 
presence  no  longer  being  needed  to  induct  Mr.  Tillison 
into  the  mysteries  of  an  inexperienced  slave-holder,  pre- 
parations were  made  for  his  departure ;  his  trunk  having 
already  been  placed  in  the  wagon,  a  carriage  in  waiting 


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282 

to  convey  hiin  to  the  station.  The  servants,  of  all  ages 
and  shades  of  color,  from  the  octoroon  to  those  of  ebony 
black,  having  congregated  together  were  standing  a 
little  back  from  the  "great  house",  near  the  waiting  car- 
riage, to  bid  "ole  massa  good-bye".  The  thoughtful  man 
distributing  to  eacli  a  trifle  as  a  remembrance,  and  having 
grasped  their  hands  and  tinally  telling  all  to  be  good  boys 
and  girls  and  obey  their  new  master,  his  voice  full  of  feel- 
ing, he  was  about  to  enter  the  carriage  when  a  young  mu- 
latto woman,  apparently  about  twenty-ftve,  grasped  his 
arm  saying,  "Massa  Grart,  have  you  forgot."  A  look  of 
pain  crossed  Mr.  Grant's  face,  and  drawing  the  woman  to 
one  side,  he  stood  for  a  time  in  conversation  with  her, 
and  shortly  en- ired  the  carriage  with  Mr.  Tillison  amid 
the  sobs  and  blessings  of  his  former  slaves. 

When  seated  he  said  feelingly  and  with  considerable 
reserve  in  his  manner,  "Did  you  notice  the  young  mulatto 
woman,  with  whom  I  was  talking  just  now?" 

"Yes,  likely  young  wench." 

"Yes,"  he  absently  replied,  "but  what  I  wish  to  say  is 
in  regard  to  her  freedom." 

"I  do  not  feel  that  I  have  any  interest  in  that,  she  is 
my  property  and  will  probably  remain  so,"  replied 
Tillison  rather  shortly. 

"I  wanted  to  say,"  resumed  Mr.  Grant,  "that  it  was 


nothing  but  right  that  you  should  know  something  of  the 
promise  I  made  her.  I  should  have  given  her  freedom 
papers  before  this  had  not  my  creditors  pounced  down 
upon  me  like  so  many  hawks,  and  I  could  see  bo  way  but 
to  turn  every  penny  to  account.  There  seemed  no  way 
for  me  to  fulfill  my  promise  at  the  time.  Her  husband  be- 
longed to  a  neighboring  planter  and  has  long  since  earned 
his  freedom  and  is  now  in  the  north  where  he  is  trying  to 
save  enough  to  purchase  her  freedom,  anu  if  at  any  time  I 
can  assist  the  husband,  and  a  sufficient  amount  is  offered 
you,  as  an  especial  favor  I  would  like  to  ask  you  to  accept 
it  in  order  that  she  may  go  to  her  husband,  and  also  that 
I  may  feel  that  a  promise  which  I  gave  in  good  faith  may 
be  kept." 

The  careless  response  of  Mr.  Tillison  that,  "when  the 
required  amount  was  brought  for  her  he  was  welcome  to 
take  her  and  do  as  he  pleased,"  did  not  fully  satisfy  Mr. 
Grant.  He  had  hoped  by  stating  the  matter  fully  to  Mr. 
Tillison  to  awaken  some  degree  of  interest,  but  saw  that 
his  efforts  were  useless  in  that  direction,  and  nothing  more 
could  be  done  at  that  time. 

As  there  was  no  congeniality  between  these  two  men 
conversation  became  merely  a  matter  of  courtesy,  and  with 
a  polite  farewell  from  each  they  separated. 

Mr.  Grant,  with  a  feeling  that  one  has  of  a  certain  sense 


-r)''»tt>^m'y*  « 


284 

of  loss  and  sadness  which  attend  those  sadden  transitions 
from  the  ordinary  routine  of  life  into  a  new  and  untried 
one,  and  being  of  that  peculiarly  impressible  nature,  the 
despondent  look  of  Lucy,  the  indifferent  answer  of  Mr. 
Tillison;  and  the  last  sight  of  his  old  home  had  put  him  in 
a  mood  by  no  means  the  happiest. 

Not  so  Mr.  Tillison,  his  wholly  unimpressible  nature 
had  seen  and  appreciated  none  of  the  trials  through  which 
Mr.  Grant  had  passed,  and  without  one  regretful  feeling 
at  the  former  owner's  sacrifice,  he  returned  to  his  new 
home  filled  with  pleasant  thoughts  of  moie  lands,  more 
stocks  and  more  dividends. 


285 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


v.- 


Lucy — Death  of  Little  Mary. 

In  one  of  the  cabins  connected  with  the  "great  house," 
it  being  a  sort  of  an  outside  kitchen  where  the  family 
cooking  was  done,  a  number  of  the  servants  were  collect- 
ed to  discuss  their  new  surroundings  and  the  probable 
change  for  the  worse,  for  they  were  unanimous  in  declar- 
ing "Old  Massa  Tillison  nuflf  de  meanest  of  de  two,"  for 
the  fact  that  the  younger  "massa"  was  to  be  their  overseer 
did  not  fill  them  with  the  kindest  feelings,  as  he  was  suf- 
fering from  the  co  i  parisons  with  that  class.  Their  child- 
ish intuitions  naturally  led  them  to  distinguish  between 
the  kind,  frank  face  of  the  young  man,  and  the  hard,  almost 
cruel  face  of  the  elder,  hence  the  above  declaration. 

As  to  the  two  "missus,"  they  expressed  themselves  well 
pleased,  and,  much  like  school  children,  who  take  a  sort  of 
diagnosis  of  the  "new  teachers' "  lovable  ^r  unlovable  quali- 
ties, or  whether  she  is  beautiful  or  not  beautiful,  and  orac- 
ularly declare  they  shall  not  be  one  bit  afraid  of  her,  and 
will  have  "lots  of  fun,"  knowing  in  their  little  coward 
hearts  that  one  word  or  look  from  the  new  dignitary  will 
awe  them  into  perfect  obedience.  One  black  fellow  boast- 


\'^. 


i'i-  e 


« 

286 


ingly  tells  how  "de  young  massa  had  better  not  be  a  boss- 
in'  ob  him  roun',  wid  de  ole  cross-lookin'  massa  to  sot  him 
on,"  his  threat  being  emphasized  by  half  a  dozen  other 
younger  ones.  "You  go  'long  wid  ye;  all  on  ye  is  'feared 
or  ye  wouldn'  be  boastin'  that  'ere  way."  The  speaker,  an 
old  negress  whose  supremacy  is  not  only  acknowledged 
by  all  among  the  servants,  on  account  of  her  long  service 
in  the  family,  but  because  of  her  giant  strength,  as  many 
of  them  can  testify  when  they  have  aroused  her  antago- 
nism; and,  in  this  case,  counting  discietion  the  better  part 
of  valor,  they  disperse  without  further  discussion  of  the 
subject. 

With  all  this  new  life  before  them  the  "northenors,"  as 
their  neighbors  called  them,  encountered  many  unlooked 
for  difficulties,  arising  in  a  measure  from  not  understand- 
ing the  best  method  of  managing  so  dependent  and  undis- 
cipiined  a  number,  made  so  by  years  of  servitude  and  ig- 
norance. 

Matters  would  have  assumed  better  form,  however,  had 
Divie  been  allowed  the  free  exercise  of  his  judgment  and 
authority;  but  his  father,  who  was  constantly  counter- 
manding orders,  made  much  confusion  among  the  hands, 
and  a  disposition  on  their  part  to  obey  neither  master, 
bringing  about  an  utterly  undisciplined  state  of  things. 
Divie,  after  vainly  trying  to  bring  order   out  of  chaos, 


287 


V 


finally  gave  up  in  despair,  when  upon  one  occasion  he  had 
Bent  a  gang  of  workmen  to  a  remote  part  of  the  field  to 
perform  some  specified  labor  and  shortly  thcFeafter  they 
were  ordered  to  another  portion  of  the  plantation  by  the 
old  gentleman.  The  young  man  told  him  unless  more  sys- 
tematic plans  could  be  instituted  he  would  no  longer  act 
as  overseer,  and  at  last  Mr.  Tillison  began  in  a  vague  way 
to  comprehend  that  he  had  been  the  cause  of  so  much 
confusion.  He  at  once  took  the  alarm  when  he  saw  that 
his  interests  were  suffering  in  consequence,  and  as  he  be- 
came conscious  that  harmony  must  prevail  before  his 
money  interests  could  advance,  he  concluded  to  allow  Divie 
to  be  the  undisturbed  actor  in  the  field.  As  a  result,  a 
few  days  sufficed  to  harmonize  the  disquiet,  and  before 
long  young  ''massa"  was  as  much  beloved  as  Mr.  Grant 
had  been. 

Within  the  house  the  domestic  machinery  moved  with- 
out ajar,  a  wise  and  kind  woman  being  at  its  head.  The 
elder  lady  assumed  the  responsibility  of  the  establishment, 
and  Elizabeth  devoted  much  of  her  time  to  little  Robbie 
and  a  young  daughter  who  had  come  to  claim  a  share  in 
the  aflfections  of  the  family — a  littlt  golden-haired,  blue- 
eyed  baby,  so  frail  it  seemed  that  she  were  not  of  earth, 
who  required  almost  the  constant  care  of  Elizabeth  or  its 
black  nurse. 


if  ' 

.1!' 

Hit 


*!' 


ii 


A  Ik 


.'■• 


If'!:!; 


288 

Two  years  have  gone  since  the  introduction  of  our 
friends  to  the  south,  and  while  the  old  gentleman  has  re- 
alized even  more  than  he  had  dreamed,  having  purchased 
extensively  in  cattle  and  driven  them  to  the  grassy  or 
grazing  portion  of  the  state,  selling  them  at  an  enormous 
profit,  which  with  his  cotton  sales  netted  him  a  large 
amount.  To  him  the  south  was  enchanting.  Everything 
had  prospered  under  his  hand. 

But  how  has  it  been  with  the  remainder  of  the  family? 
Very  different.  Divie,  contrary  to  the  predictions  of  Mr» 
Lewis,  has  become  more  opposed  to  slavery  than  ever  be- 
fore, as  he  came  in  daily  contact  with  it.  The  ignorant, 
helpless  blacks,  with  no  hopes,  no  aspirations  to  be  any- 
thing, were  mere  machines  in  the  hands  of  their  masters 
neither  thinking  nor  acting  for  themselves,  and  were  to  him 
objects  of  pity,  and  he  often  wondered  what  the  end 
would  be.  His  mother,  Elizabeth  and  himself  often  talked 
long  and  earnestly  of  these  things,  Mr.  Tillison  not  be- 
ing one  of  the  number,  as  he  did  not  sympathize  with 
them  in  their  feelings,  but  waxed  loud  in  his  praises  of 
slavery,  and  only  regretted  that  he  had  not  known  many 
years  ago  of  the  advantages  of  a  slaveholder;  but  he  had 
foolishly  allowed  himself  to  be  influenced  by  the  fanatical 
abolitionists  of  the  north.  A  most  uncompromising  and 
cruel  master  he  would  have  been  had  not  his  first  attempt 


II     I 


289 


in  that  direction  proved  such  a  failure  and  so  disastronsv 
to  his  own  interests. 

The  rich  river  bottoms,  so  well  adapted  to  cottoD^ 
growing,  proved  to  be  very  malarious,  much  sick- 
ness viiiting  the  family,  and  they  suffered  to  sucb 
an  extent  from  it  that  they  began  to  have  serious 
thoughts  of  leaving  /or  the  north.  Mr.  Tillison  was  all' 
alert  to  avert  such  a  catastrophe  to  his  pet  scheme  of 
money  making,  as  their  departure  would  cause,  and  his. 
busy  brain  soon  had  the  problem  solved,  for  the  man  was 
not  so  far  lost  to  all  good  that  he  wished  to  sacrifice  the 
health  and  perhaps  the  lives  of  his  family  for  a  little  gain  f, 
and  at  once  set  about  a  system  of  drainage  which  he  felt, 
sure  would  alleviate  and  perhaps  entirely  remove  the  dif^ 
Acuity.  He  commenced  the  work  as  the  busy  season  had 
passed,  and  the  sl.ives  must  be  kept  at  work,  as  nothing 
so  annoyed  him  as  to  see  a  menial  rest  from  toil.  Ac- 
cordingly in  a  remarkably  short  time  the  task  was 
completed,  and  the  sanitary  condition  was  so  muck 
improved   that  no    further    serious    results    were    felt. 

Bobbie  grew  into  a  bright,  happy  little  fellow,  the  life 
and  joy  of  the  home; and  to  the  house  servants,  little 
"massa  Eobbie"  was  a  sort  of  oracle  of  all  that  was  fasci- 
nating and  entertaining.  But  with  all  this  he  did  not  be- 
come a  spoiled  boy,  being  a  rare  exception  to  the  rule* 


290 


His  grandfather  even  found  time  to  stop  and  caress  him 
and  it  was  with  much  interest  that  the  family  saw  the 
influence  Robbie  could  have  when  nothing  els©  would  move 
him.  Baby  Mary  still  remained  frail,  but  crept  into  every 
heart,  and  every  one  felt  that  almost  a  breath  might  waft 
her  away,  she  was  such  a  tender  plant.  Lucy  had  no-w 
become  the  nurse  of  the  little  one  as  she  had  proved  her- 
self so  proficient  in  the  work  that  Elizabeth  saw  with 
satisfaction  the  baby's  growing  strength  and  after  a  time 
a  faint  suggestion  of  color  came  into  the  pale  face»  and 
when  at  the  expiration  of  another  year  she  was  a  child, 
with  some  promise  of  physical  stamina,  Elizabeth  felt  a 
sense  of  gratitude  to  liucy  which  she  longed  to  repay. 

One  day  as  they  were  occupied  in  some  little  attend- 
ance upon  the  children,  the  young  mistress  noticed  the 
Bwoolen  eyes  and  averted  face  of  the  attendant,  and  kind< 
ly  inquired  as  to  the  cause.  She  saw  that  she  was  under 
some  strong  mental  disturbance.  Lucy  rehearsed  to  her 
the  story  of  her  marriage  with  the  young  black  man,  his 
release  from  bondage,  of  Mr.  Grant's  promise  to  give  her 
her  freedom,  and  that  he  had  become  so  involved  that  he 
could  not  do  as  he  had  promised,  and  how  long  she  had 
waited  and  hoped  that  he  would  pay  Mr.  Tillison  the  price 
required,  until  she  was  almost  in  despair,  and  of  her  fears 
that  Sam  was  sick,  as  he  had  learned  to  write  and  an  oc* 


291 


r  ^ 


casioiial  letter  had  come  to  her,  and  for  several  months 
©he  had  heard  nothing.  At  the  conclusion  the  poor  slave 
covered  her  face  with  her  apron  and  sobbed  aloud. 

For  a  time  Elizabeth  was  so  surprised  that  sLo  remained 
silent ;  but  finally  said  in  a  reassuring  manner,  "cheer  up 
Lucy,  I  will  see  what  can  be  done  for  you.  In  the  mean- 
time keep  up  good  courage  and  perhaps  we  can  find  a 
■way  by  which  your  freedom  can  be  secured."  Thus  en- 
couraged, Lucy  worked  assiduously,  and  never  ceased  to 
•depend  upon  the  hopeful  words  of  her  mistress,  and  from 
that  time  felt  that  at  some  future  day  she  sliould  be  free. 
After  a  conference  with  her  husband  in  reg.ird  to  Lucy, 
they  decided  to  write  to  Mr.  Grant  in  reference  to  the 
the  matter,  and  at  once  a  letter  was  dispatched  in  which 
he  was  reminded  of  his  promise,  and  a  proposition  to  ac- 
cept one  half  the  value  of  the  mulatto  woman  Lucy,  and 
in  consideration  of  which  she  should  become  free.  After 
some  delay  an  answer  came,  in  which  the  writer  stated 
that  Mr.  Grant  had  died  some  time  since,  and  also  that 
the  family  had  removed  to  Florida.  After  a  little  thought 
Elizabeth  said,  "we  owe  little  Mary's  present  go^d  health 
to  the  watchful  care  and  good  nursing  of  Lucy,  and  I  want 
to  repay  her  in  some  way,  and  know  of  no  better  than  to 
take  enough  from  the  gift  of  mother,  which  you  know  is 
mine  to  use  as  I  wish,  and  I  think  I  will  confer  with  your 


IV     f 


i,-i:"   ;. 


I  In 


flj 


I 


292 

mother  and  get  her  approval  before  I  do  anything  farther.'^ 
Daring  the  interview  the  elder  lady  told  her  to  use  her 
own  pleasure  in  the  matter  and  concluded  by  saying, 
*'your  father  should  give  her  freedom  papers  at  once." 
Mrs.  Tillison  approached  him  upon  the  subject  of  freeing 
Lucy,  when  she  thought  him  in  the  most  agreeable  mood, 
withholding  the  fact  that  Elizabeth  wanted  to  use  her 
own  money  for  the  purpose.  His  prompt  refusal,  followed 
by  the  statement  that  he  should  give  none  of  his  slaves 
their  freedom  and  that  Lucy  was  the  most  highly  favored 
of  any  of  the  servants  and  evidently  the  most  discontent- 
ed, did  not  in  the  least  surprise  Mrs.  Tillison,  but  some- 
what disappointed  her,  as  she  had  hoped  that  perhaps  she 
might  touch  his  heart  when  he  learned  all  that  the  poor 
black  woman  had  endured,  and  had  served  them  so  faith- 
fully during  baby  Mary's  illness.  For  more  reasons  than 
one  Mrs.  Tillison  quietly  resolved  from  that  time,  with  the 
aid  of  her  son  and  daughter  to  remove  from  the  influences 
which  were  making  her  husband  more  sordid,  if  possible 
than  ever  before. 

She  at  last  succeeded  by  much  persuasion  to  get  his 
consent  to  give  Lucy  her  freedom,  should  the  required 
amount  be  placed  in  her  hands,  and  in  a  few  days,  much 
to  Lucy's  delight,  Elizabeth  gave  to  her  the  legally  drawn 
document  which  made  her  a  free  woman.    It  would  be 


293 


di£Qcalt  to  tell  which  of  the  two  women  were  the  most 
pleased,  the  one  bestowing  happiness  or  the  one  receiv- 
ing it.  Lucy  requested  her  young  mistress  to  write  her 
hasband  of  her  coming  and  to  ask  him  to  send  money  for 
her  transportation;  the  grateful  woman  never  ceasing  one 
moment  from  her  accustomed  toil,  Elizabeth  assuring  her 
that  she  should  be  remunerated,  as  she  no  longer  had  any 
claims  upon  her  without  she  were  repaid,  to  v  -lich  she 
strongly  objected,  considering  it  a  labor  of  lo\e. 

Several  days  had  elapsed  since  Lucy's  free'lom  had 
been  consummated.  One  night  just  before  atiring,  the 
faithlul  nurse  went  to  Little  Mary's  crib  to  see  if  phe  were 
sleeping,  as  had  become  her  habit,  and  her  experienc* 
ed  eye  detected  the  fever  stain  on  the  pale  face;  calling 
the  child's  mother,  Elizabeth  also  saw  alarming  symptoms 
and  a  colored  man  was  at  once  dispatched  for  a  physician; 
who,  upon  arriving  expressed  fears  that  it  was  scarlet  fe- 
ver. Eobbie  was  taken  to  the  house  of  a  friend,  and  all 
that  human  skill  could  devise  was  used  to  restore  the 
sick  child  ;  Lucy  remaining  almost  constantly  at  her  side; 
but  she  rapidly  grew  worse  and  on  the  evening  of  the  third 
day  the  spirit  left  the  frail  little  body. 

To  you,  stricken  parents,  who  have  stood  for  the  last 
time  over  the  little  form  with  its  wa  :en  hands  folded,  the 
sunny  head  resting  upon  its  downy  pillow,  a.>d  the  spirit- 


ft 


i 


•■A 
.'■I 


like  face  which  seems  already  to  have  caught  the  light 
from  heaven,  you  can  know  the  anguish  which  wrung  the 
hearts  of  these  parents,  mute  with  grief,  better  than  the 
pen  can  picture  or  the  tongue  can  tell. 

Lucy  remained  with  her  young  mistress  for  seve  al 
weeks  after  the  death  of  little  Mary,  as  she  was  prostrated 
l>y  gi'itjf  and  sickness,  and  the  faithful  woman  would  not 
leave  her  until  she  no  longer  needed  care.  In  the  mean" 
time  a  letter  came  from  her  husband  containing  the  money 
with  which  to  pay  her  passage  and  stated  that  he  had 
been  sick  and  in  consequence,  the  writing  had  been  delay- 
ed. 

When  Lucy  with  her  little  budget  was  ready  to  start 
for  the  north  Elizabeth  pressed  upon  her  a  liberal  sum  for 
all  her  labors,  and  the  happy  woman  was  soon  on  her  way 
to  her  expectant  husband,  whom  she  reached  in  due  time, 
and  a  half  legible  letter  came  to  Elizabeth  from  the  grate- 
ful man  telling  of  her  arrival. 

« 

After  the  death  of  their  baby,  Robbie  became  more  en" 
deared  to  the  hearts  of  the  parents,  and  they  turned  with 
longing  eyes  to  their  northern  home;  Elizabeth  having 
faith  to  believe  that  the  time  would  come  when  the  fath- 
ers heart  would  relent  and  they  might  again  be  among  old 
friends.  It  would  have  pleased  all  but  Mr.  Tillison  sen- 
ior, to  free  the  slaves  and  sell  the  lands  and  warehouse^ 


296 

but  knowing  tkat  such  a  proposal  would  meet  his  disap- 
proval there  was  nothing  said.  Two  more  years  rolled 
away,  it  now  being  five  years  since  they  arrived  in  the 
south. 

The  disturbing  spirit  which  had  come  so  near  culminat- 
ing in  ruj)tunng  the  Union  in  1841)  and  was  quieted  by  the 
adoption  of  Clny'H  bill  of  1850,  for  a  time  apparently  lulled 
the  disturbance,  but  had  not  healed  the  "old  sore"  for  in 
1853  Stephen  A.  Douglas'  bill  of  Squatter  Sovereignty 
touching  so  sharply  the  admisnion  of  t'.ie  states  of  Kansas 
and  Nebraska  stirred  up  all  the  elements  of  discord.  La- 
ter tue  formation  of  the  llepublican  party  which  was  pro- 
nounced against  the  extension  of  slavery,  all  these  dis- 
turbing elements  working  like  leaven.  As  a  result  much 
feeling  began  to  be  manifested  both  in  the  north  as  well 
as  well  as  the  south.  Divie  had  taken  several  strong 
antislavery  papers  before  their  removal  and  consequently 
continued  them,  and  the  family  had  access  to  them  as  well 
as  the  southern  papers  containing  far  diflferent  sentiments^ 
The  old  gentleman  manifested  some  uneasiness,  not  that 
he  feared  any  danger  to  his  countr}',  but  he  feared  that 
his  property  might  in  the  future  become  an  unsafe  quan- 
tity and  that  as  a  slaveholder,  he  might  become  involved 
in  some  trouble  and  thoughts  of  losing  his  slaves  began 
to  wear  upon  him. 


m 


'  I  ! 


T) 


I 

■ii 

'I  'n 


I  if 


296 


Thoughtful  men  could  hardly  help  but  see  that  upon  the 
«ubject  of  slavery  ere  long  would  hinge  all  the  controver- 
sy. One  evening,  in  a  highly  excited  state  of  mind — not 
in  any  way  allayed  by  the  articles  just  read  by  Divie — he 
declared  his  intention  of  selling  all  that  he  possessed  in 
the  south  before  he  lost  it,  and  the  family  were  only  too 
'delighted  at  the  termination  of  the  matter,  and  as  the  old 
gentleman  had  been  thoroughly  alarmed,  and  felt  the  im- 
pending danger  to  his  property,  he  found  a  purchaser  less 
sanguine  than  himself  of  any  disastrous  results.  In  a  few 
weeks  the  family  were  on  their  way  north  with  no  regrets 
that  they  were  leaving  a  home,  which  to  all  but  Mr.  Tilli- 
«on  had  been  distasteful;  and,  strange  to  say,  he  did  not 
manifest  any  outward  signs  by  which  he  might  be  consid- 
-«red  regretful,  and  his  unwonted  cheerfulness  inspired  a 
hope  in  the  heart  of  his  wife  that  the  death  of  little  Mary 
had  left  him  in  a  softened  and  better  state  of  mind,  for  she 
had  begun  to  have  serious  doubts  as  to  what  the  result 
might  be  to  him  mentally,  as  well  as  in  other  ways,  if  he 
could  not  be  awakened  from  the  passion  for  gain.  The 
other  members  of  the  fiimily  saw  grounds  for  hope,  and, 
with  Eobbie^s  affection  for  his  grandfather  and  the  united 
eflforts  of  the  rest,  continually  and  tenderly  they  sought 
to  divert  the  old  man — who  was  so  near  the  sunset  of  life 
— from  the  past,  and  invest  the  future  with  imperishable 


ver- 


297 

hopes  for  him,  and  so  far  sacceeded  that  he  became  con- 
vinced that  he  was  already  supplied  with  all  that  he  need- 
ed in  a  temporal  way,  and  that  the  tangible  things  would 
serve  him  but  poorly  hereafter. 

After  a  visit  to  their  old  home,  they  chose  for  their  fu- 
ture residence  a  quiet  village  in  northern  Iowa,  where, 
at  last  account,  they  still  remain. 

And  all  these  years  the  captain  and  his  family  have  not 
been  forgotten,  but  have  lived  a  somewhat  monotonous, 
quiet  life,  but  a  happy  one — broken  only  by  the  death 
of  a  little  one. 

After  the  painful  operation  to  which  he  was  subjected 
he  regained  his  health,  and  again  he  became  restless  and 
wished  to  be  off  to  some  other  point.  In  interviewing 
him  upon  the  subject  of  drifting  here  and  there  over  the 
country,  he  advises  young  men  to  avoid  forming  the  habit 
of  roving  early  in  life,  and  attributed  what  failures  he  has 
made  to  the  fact  of  leaving  home  at  so  early  an  age,  be- 
fore either  character  or  mind  was  fully  formed.  He  warns 
the  boy  who  thinks  the  world  inviting  him  from  home  to 
pleasure,  wealth  and  fame,  to  beware,  for  in  many  cases  it 
is  the  old  story  of  "the  si»ider  and  the  Hy"  repeated.  Of- 
ten, when  roving  in  the  west,  water  could  not  be  had,  the 
gastric  juice  from  the  stomach  of  the  buffalo  has  quenched 
his  thirst,  unsavory  and  unwholesome  rueats  appeased  his 


i  1 8 


i 

■  a 


%V' 


i 


1 


298 


hunger,  and  lying  upon  the  ground,  close  to  his  horse 
with  the  angry  elements  beating  upon  and  around  him,  he 
has  succeeded  in  keeping  the  icy  hand  of  death  away. 

These  are  but  a  few  of  the  dangers  surrounding  him. 
Those  that  attack  physically  are  not  the  most  to  be  dread- 
ed, for  are  there  not  pitfalls  crossing  his  path,  serpents  in 
beautiful  and  attractive  garb,  music,  soul-stirring  but  full 
of  impure  sentiments,  and  thousands  of  perfumed,  sweet- 
voiced,  bedecked  tempters  to  lure  him  from  the  right  ? 
On  almost  every  hand  there  is  something  of  a  dangerous 
character  to  tempt  the  uninitiated,  young  adventurer,  and 
many  times,  when  he  least  expects  it.  Happy  the  young 
man  who  comes  out  from  a  home  where  consistent,  sensi- 
ble parents  liave  taught  him  fixed  principles,  embellished 
by  common  sense  religion,  without  cant  and  an  unhealthy 
growth  of  sentiment.  To  such  a  boy  the  world  is  not 
usually  a  snare  for  evil. 

Just  before  the  close  of  the  civil  war  he  left  Wisconsin 
for  Nebraska,  going  through  that  portion  of  country  dot- 
ted here  and  there  with  beautiful  lakes.  They  passed  to 
Prairie  Du  Chien,  crossing  the  Mississippi  river  at  McGreg- 
or, lower  down,  where  his  effects  were  placed  upon  a 
steamer;  reaching  Keokuk  by  river  to  St.  Louis,  and  up 
the  Missouri  to  Independence^    His  passage  was  paid  by 


,    299 

the  railroad  company,  as  he  had  been  employed  lo  assist 
in  completing  the  Sedalia  line  to  Independence,  Mo. 

During  the  time  of  his  stay  his  family  occupied  a  large 
brick  residence  which  had  been  deserted  by  its  occupants, 
who  had  fled  from  the  attacks  of  the  bushwhackers,  which 
was  of  quite  frequent  occurrence  during  the  civil  war  in 
this  section,  it  being  in  close  proximity  to  that  much- 
dreaded  rebel  leader.  Sterling  Price,  whose  raid  was  made 
upon  Springiield  about  this  time,  and  it  was-  currently  re- 
ported that  he  would  soon  make  an  attack  on  Independ- 
ence. Many  deserted  the  road — the  captain  among  the 
rest. 

The  name  of  Sterling  Price  struck  terror  to  the  very 
heart,  being  so  noted  a  leader  of  secession,  in  the  state. 
He  became  Major  General  in  the  Confederate  Army  in 
1862,  and,  with  Vallandingham.  assisted  in  leading  one  of 
the  worst  hotbeds  of  traitors  known,  who  organized  them- 
selves into  a  secret  society  denominated  as  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Circle,  of  which  he  was  commander.  This  band 
is  repute^  +o  have  been  of  great  strength  in  that  state, 
numbering  nearly  25,000  Missourians,  whose  murderous 
depredations  are  too  well  known  to  history,  to  be  here 
enumerated. 


%  y 


1:'  I, 


I 


::! 


Ji 


300 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 
Early  Settlement  of  Cowley  County. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Cowley  county,  so  many 
conditions  and  surroundings  were  of  such  common  inter- 
est that  it  would  be  hardly  possible  to  write  the  experi- 
ence of  a  single  settler  without  giving  some  of  the  early 
history  of  the  county,  and  some  of  the  phases  that  were 
enjoyed  or  suffered  by  all  in  common. 

The  first  actual  settlers  came  to  Cowley  in  1869  and 
took  claims  along  the  Walnut,  north  of  the  present  site  of 
Winfield.  Among  those  men  were  T.  B.  Boss,  James 
Eenfro,  the  Stansbury  brothers,  B.  F.  Murphey,  T.  A. 
Blanchard,  S.  B.  Williams  and  F.  W.  Schwantes.  In  the 
early  summer  C.  M.  Wood,  with  a  small  stock  of  goods 
located  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  near  the  present 
railroad  junction  and  began  to  trade  with  the  Indians  and 
settlers,  but  as  the  Indians  were  not  yet  fully  converted  to 
amiability,  at  the  end  of  a  few  weeks  Mr.  Wood  moved  up 
the  river  to  the  Eenfro  cabin. 

About  the  time  that  Wood  built  his  stockade  store  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river,  Mr.  P.  Y.  Becker  built  a  cabin 
two  miles  down  the  river  and  Col.  E.  0.  Manning  made  a 


301 


10  many 
m  inter- 
experi- 
tie  early 
lat  were 

869  and 
it  site  of 
i,  James 
J,  T.  A. 

In  the 
if  goods 

present 
Lans  and 
rerted  to 
lOved  up 

store  on 
a  cabin 
made  a 


claim  on  the  east  side  opposite  Wood's  which  ultimately 
became  a  part  of  the  town  site  of  Winfield. 

Soon  after  Wood  moved  up  the  river,  the  Indians  indi- 
cated their  displeasure  with  the  intruders  by  burning  the 
stockade  and  making  some  insignificant  demonstrations 
about  driving  out  the  settlers.  In  August,  the  whites  were 
ordered  off  the  Indian  land  and  all  except  Koss  and  N.  J. 
Thompson  went  beyond  the  Butler  county  line  which  was 
the  north  limit  of  the  Osage  lands;  but  many  of  the  red- 
skins had  learnetl  that  the  settlers  were  not  so  undesir- 
able  an  element,  and  expulsion  proved  to  be  of  short  dur- 
ation, for  in  a  few  weeks  the  squatters  were  ag:ain  upon 
their  claims. 

The  readiness  with  which  the  Indians  consented  to 
these  encroachments  of  civilization  may  be  accounted 
for,  by  the  fact  that  the  Osage  lands  were  the  property  of 
the  Osage  Indians  and  not  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment. They  paid  without  controversy  the  hard  cash  de- 
manded by  the  Indians. 

The  difficulty  however  came  to  an  abrupt  termination, 
so  far  as  the  Indians  were  concerned,  when  on  July  15, 
1870,  the  Osage  strip  was  opened  for  settlement.  But 
difficulties  quite  as  vexing  if  not  so  bloody  were  still  in 
store  for  the  new  county,  for  not  an  acre  had  yet  been 
surveyed  and  no  means  had  been  devised  that  gave  any 

Tacif ic  N.  W.  History  Dept. 

PROVINCIAL  LIBRARY 
VICTORIA,  B.  C. 


?:•:! 


I* 


302 

one  even  a  shadowy  idea  of  where  section  lines  were 
likely  to  fall  and  the  possibility  of  finding  two  settlers  on 
the  same  quarter  section  when  the  survey  should  be 
made,  added  to  the  general  anxiety.  But  time  fled 
rapidly  away  and  in  January  of  '71  the  surveyors  came, 
and  while  the  lines  they  run  were  none  the  straightest 
and  the  sections  were  considerably  "oft"''  yet  in  matter  of 
uniformity  and  regularity  they  gave  nominal  shape  at 
least  to  the  great  prairies  and  made  lines  by  which  the 
claimants  could  adjust  their  possessions.  Great  interest 
was  taken  in  this  official  act,  and  multitudes  of  settlers 
followed  the  surveying  party  as  section  after  section  was 
run  off,  and  the  lines  that  fixed  the  boundaries  of  their 
future  possessions  were  established. 

After  the  surveying  was  made,  many  claims  were  found 
to  be  without  occupants,  as  the  settlers,  to  avoid  the  pos- 
sibility of  overlapping  and  the  unpleasantness,  among 
neighbors,  that  usually  attend  the  settling  of  such  mis- 
haps, had  kept  at  such  respectful  distance  that  good  claims 
had  been  left  between. 

There  is  not,  probably  in  the  history  of  the  entire  coun- 
try another  locality  that  was  settled  so  soon  after  having 
been  opened  for  settlement  as  was  Southern  Kansas.  In 
fact  the  story  of  the  development  of  this  new  country 
from  an  unbroken  and  almost  boundless  prairie — the  home 


II 811 


;  ")■ 


303 

• 

of  savage  men  and  wild  animals — into  farms,  town  lots,   . 
new  and  basy  cities  and  pleasant  homes,  rich  in  all  that 
constitutes  a  great  and  free  people;  this  mighty  transform- 
ation in  less  than  twenty  years  seems  almost  like  a  fairy 
tale. 

In  February  of  1870,  when  the  governor  put  In  motion 
the  crude  machinery  of  county  government,  but  few  i)eu- 
ple  were  claimed  for  Cowley  county,  yet  in  August  of 
1871;  when  the  election  was  held  for  the  locating  of  the 
county  seat,  there  were  1,244  votes  cast;  and  in  187"),  when 
the  first  reliable  census  was  taken,  it  was  declared  toliave 
a  population  of  8,963,  notwiths'anding  the  number  which  , 
left  the  county  on  account  of  the  grasshopper  scare,  which 
was  estimated  at  2,000.  Nor  did  the  first  years  of  the  ti- 
dal wave  see  the  end  of  the  influx,  for  when  the  enumera- 
tion of  1879  was  completed  it  gave  the  very  creditable 
showing  of  21,549  inhabitants. 

The  same  thrift  and  push  which  supplied  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  older  states  with  means  by  which  to  come  to 
the  west  and  make  investments,  brought  them  west  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  also  to  Cowley  county  ;  which  at  that 
time  had  been  but  lightly  touched  save  by  the  hand  of 
nature. 

These  early  residents  did  not  then  open  the  daily  papers 
and  read  with  much  nonchalance,  events  which  had  trans- 


it 


1      ;!' 


:  i  -A 


I 


■H 


"m?T3iipf<f^fimm'^ 


304 


pired  but  a  few  hours  prior  in  New  York  or  London,  but 
eagerly  perused  the  weekly  eastern  papers,  which  had 
been  a  week  in  transit  to  the  log  post-office,  conveyed  by 
the  lumbering,  white  canopied  stage-coach,  which  not  un- 
frequently  came  into  its  various  stage  stations  laden  al- 
most beyond  its  capacity,  with  its  shrewd  business  man 
hailing  from  the  extreme  eastern  border,  the  intelligent 
farmer  from  the  Miami  valley,  the  young  lawyer  eager  to 
hang  his  shingle  in  the  "Kansas  zephyrs,"  the  pedagogue 
with  that  unmistakable  air  of  "first-class-in-spelling-stand- 
up-and-recite,"  the  young  physician  with  a  store  of  know- 
ledge  of  the  healing  arts,  which,  if  technically  explained 
by  him,  would  have  impressed  the  hearer  with  proof 
positive  of  his  medical  lore  ;  from  the  fact  that  it  was  in- 
comprehensible to  the  majority  of  the  listeners.  A 
a  fact  invested  with  an  air  of  ipystery,  is  first  cousin  to 
knowledge. 

To  all  these  eager  expectant  home-seekers,  charming  al- 
most beyond  description  was  the  sight  which  presented 
itself  to  their  vision  as  they  beheld  for  the  first  time  the 
beautiful  western  prairie  clothed  in  a  verdure  in  point  of 
luxuriance  and  height  it  has  not  since  known  and  bright- 
ened here  and  there  with  floral  gems,  many  varieties  of 
which  are  now  a  thing  of  the  past,  having  been  consigned 
to  an  early  grave  by  the  plough-share. 


306 


The  writer  was  conveyed  in  1871  by  the  stage-coach  to 
what  is  no  i^  our  pretty  city,  with  its  elegant  stone  struc- 
tures and  broad  avenues — beautified  by  the  taste  and 
wealth  of  its  residents.  Where  now  stands  some  of  our 
most  attractive  homes,  then  only  vacant  prairie  was  to  be 
seen;  indeed  it  almost  seems  to  those  who  saw  the  unde- 
veloped state  of  things  at  that  time  and  were  absent  for  a 
few  years,  that  a  transformation  equal  almost  to  that 
which  Cinderilla  experienced,  had  been  accomplished. 

The  county  was  named  in  honor  of  Matthew  Cowley, 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  I.  Ninth  Kansas  Cavalry. 
While  in  the  service  of  his  country  he  died,  August,  1864, 
at  Little  Eock,  Arkansas.  The  county  contains  1,112 
square  miles.  In  1870,  to  each  square  mile,  there  was  one 
inhabitant;  in  1875,  8.6.  In  the  same  year  Winfield 
had  a  population  of  1,201.  Thirteen  years  hence  it  num- 
bered nine  thousand.  The  preponderance  of  males, 
always  shown  in  new  countries,  was  no  exception  in  this 
county.  In  the  year  1875  there  were  4,830  males  and  4,124 
females.  In  the  early  settlement  of  the  county,  Illinois, 
was  more  largely  represented  than  any  other  state  in  the 
Fnion.  Vermont  and  Rhode  Island  sent  the  least  num- 
ber. 

At  this  time  82.1  per  cent,  engaged  in  agriculture ;  7.3 
per  cent,  in  professional  and  personal   service ;  3.6  per 


■d 


m. 


306 

cent,  in  trade  iind  transportation,  and  7  per  cent,  in  niaiiu- 
factaro. 

The  nationalities  roprosented  in  the  county  were  as  fol- 
lows: Natives  of  the  United  States,  8,500;  of  Germany,  90. 
Ireland,  ."iO;  ?]ngland  and  Wales,  75;  Scotland,  26;  Sweden, 
Norway  and  Denmark,  22;  France,  8;  in  the  north  of  Eu- 
rope, 2;  Italy,  4;  in  the  south  of  Europe,  8;  in  British  Amer- 
ica, 110,  in  countries  not  known,  5;  native  Kansans,  1,007. 

A  rather  ainusing  statement  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
dogs,  as  compared  with  the  more  useful  animals,  is  taken 
from  an  old  report,  which  is  as  follows:  Dogs,  1,477;  num- 
ber of  horses,  791.  number  of  cattle;  1,918. 

There  were  then  no  railroads  constructed,  the  supplies 
of  all  kinds  being  bronglit  from  Emporia,  freighting  then 
being  quite  an  industry,  which  furuishedthe  hard-working 
claim  taker  with  some  money.  lie  had  gathered  his  little 
all  into  his  wagon,  which  all,  in  many  cases,  consisted  of 
ruddy-faced  boys  and  girls,  whose  increasing  demands 
goaded  the  father  to  come  to  the  "Great  American  Des- 
ert," and  for  the  trifling  sum  of  $1.2.>  per  acre  procure  a 
home  for  wife  and  children.  * 

The  banks  then  incorporated  were :  The  Arkansas  City 
Bank  of  Arkansas  City;  Cowley  County  Bank,  Ar- 
kansas City;  banking  house  of  M.  L.  Reed,  and  Winfield 
Bank  of  J.  C.  Fuller,  Winfield. 


307 


i ;     i , 


The  business  houses  of  Winfleld  were  :  Agricultural  im- 
plements and  wagons,  4;  books,  periodicals  and  stationery, 
-6;  boots  and  shoes,  1;  clothing  and  tailoring,  1;  dry  goods, 
1;  drugs,  oils  and  paints,  9;  furniture  and  upholstery,  3; 
groceries,  7;  gunsmiths,  1;  jewelry,  3;  lumber,  4;  milli- 
nery, 5;  merchandise,  ("general  country  store,"  in  the  coun- 
ty,) 14;  saddles  and  harness,  4;  sewing  machines,  1. 

There  were  four  weekly  papers :  The  Winfleld  Courier, 
•Cowley  County  Democrat,  and  Cowley  County  Telegram, 
Winfleld;  and  Arkansas  City  Traveler,  Arkansas  City. 

Organized  school  districts,  108 — which  have  increased 
to  150;  school  houses,  58 — which  now  number  155. 

The  Baptist  .;hurch  organizations  were  the  most  numer- 
ous in  the  co.  nty,  there  being  10,  and  1  church  edifice. 
Presbyterian :  organizations,  3;  church  edifices,  2.  Con- 
gregational :  organizations,  1.  Methodist :  organizations, 
6.     Catholic:  organizations,  2. 

On  the  8th  day  of  May,  1871,  Mr.  Mooso  arrived  at  Win- 
field.  He  at  once  hired  a  team  of  Captain  Davis  and  started 
out  to  look  over  the  country,  and  if  he  found  it  as  desirable 
as  it  had  been  represented  intended  to  locate  a  claim.  But 
the  choice  land  was  all  taken  in  the  Walnut  Valley  and  the 
adjacent  streams  prior  to  1871,  so  that  real  desirable 
•claims  must  be  sought  in  the  remote  parts  of  the  county. 

After  considerable  driving  and  a  pretty  thorough  over- 


I'll 


308 

looking  of  the  county  and  up  and  down  the  valley  for 
Bome  distance  it  was  easily  seen  that  the  only  way  to  pro- 
cure a  good  location  was  to  purchase  the  right  of  some 
early  claimant,  an  opportunity  that  was  by  no  means  diffi- 
cult to  find,  as  many  of  these  first  settlers  were  here  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  taking  claims  and  selling  them  to  those 
who  should  come  later  with  means,  hunting  for  homes. 

We  might  give  many  amusing  incidents  of  claim-taking, 
as  it  may  with  propriety  be  termed  of  these  early  days 
Many  of  these  claim-takers  would  squat  in  the  center  of 
the  most  attractive  locality  he  could  find,  proceed  to  stake 
off  a  series  of  claims  for  the  Joneses  and  Smiths,  mark- 
ing them  with  great  precision.  Then,  as  the  "tenderfoot" 
came  along  with  his  family  and  effects,  he  was  informed 
"that  Mr.  Smith  was  in  Iowa  sick  and  he  must  sell  his 
right  to  help  him  out  of  his  embarrassment."  As  all  the 
land  seemed  to  be  staked  out  and  claimed,  the  new  comer 
is  readily  prevailed  upon  to  purchase,  for  which  he  re- 
ceives ii  receipt  from  Mr.  Smilh,  and  the  astute  claimer  is 
then  ready  to  dispose  of  the  possessions  of  the  mythical 
man  "Jones,"  or  of  any  other  of  the  many  claims  taken  by 
his  friends. 

Many  times,  however,  the  sale  of  claims  was  a  fa?r  trans- 
action, as  men  who  go  to  a  new  country  are  often  restless, 
and  in  a  short  *ime  are  as  eager  to  leave  their  new  loca-^ 


309 


illey  for 
'  to  pro- 
of some 
ms  diflft- 
here  for 
to  those 
^mes. 
i-taking, 
ly  days 
senter  of 
L  to  stake 
IS,  mark- 
derfoot" 
iiformed 
sell  his 
s  all  the 
w  comer 
h  he  re- 
aimer  is 
mythical 
taken  by 

vi  trans- 
re  stlesSy 
BW  loca-^ 


tion  as  they  were  the  one  they  so  cheerfnlly  abandoned 
when  they  came  to  it. 

James  Renfrew  was  running  a  sawmill  up  the  Walnut 
river,  and  had  employed  as  engineer  a  young  man  named 
A.  D.  Murdock,  who  had  located  on  the  N.  E  1-4  of  Sec- 
tion 6,  T.  32,  R.  4  E.  Murdock,  like  ther  restless  spirits, 
remained  in  quiet  possession  of  his  land  quite  too  long, 
■and  was  anxious  to  sell,  that  he  might  move  on  to  some 
new  field  of  adventure,  and  as  all  settlers  were  anxious  to 
■see  men  with  families  come  among  them,  all  concerned 
were  ready  to  have  the  place  of  the  restless  Murdock  go 
into  the  hands  of  the  Mooso  fiamily.  Mr.  Mooso  was  soon 
informed  of  the  opportunity  to  purchase.  Murdock  had 
made  but  little  improvement,  and  he  offered  his  right  for 
^100.  The  bargain  was  soon  consummated,  the  money 
■duly  paid,  ard  Mooso  commenced  work  upon  his  new 
claim  at  once.  His  family  was  yet  at  Fall  City,  Nebraska, 
and  much  was  to  be  done  before  they  could  be  brought  to 
Oowley  county. 

During  the  early  summer  he  broke  forty  acres  of  sod 
and  planted  most  of  it  in  corn.  Early  in  September  he 
went  back  to  Nebraska,  and  in  October  returned  with  his 
family  to  his  claim.  Before  winter  came  on  he  had  com- 
pleted a  house  and  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
the  stock  which  he  had  brought  with  him  from  Nebraska. 


310 


Fred  Krop^v,  now  so  well  known  as  the  house  mover,, 
was  employed  to  dig  a  well,  and  his  effort  was  attended^ 
with  the  same  success  in  this  direction  as  it  has  been  in: 
later  years  in  exploding  the  old  legal  dogma  that  houses- 
are  "real  estate." 


311 


;iii:ir 


fP 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

The  Cowley  County  Fair  in  Its  Infancy. 

In  tlie  summer  of  '72  tlie  Cowley  County  Fair  AsBOcia. 
tion  undertook  the  building  of  a  fence  to  enclose  ground 
in  the  south  part  of  town.  The  lumber  must  all  be  hanled 
from  Wichita,  and  as  the  road  was  not  in  all  respects  a 
good  one  it  was  indeed  no  s  '  all  task  to  do  the  work.  Ev- 
ery enterprising  citizen  was  interested  in  the  success  of 
the  undertaking,  and  the  hauling  was  done  by  donation. 
Mr.  Mooso  could  not  be  behind  his  neighbors  in  any  laud- 
able undertaking,  and  he  at  once  offered  his  assistance  in 
this,  and  with  his  two  well  equipped  teams  he  succeeded 
in  bringing  four  thousand  feet  of  lumber  at  one  trip. 

The  early  fair  was  in  many  respects  an  amusing  affair. 
Most  people  who  were  connected  with  the  management 
were  wholly  inexperienced,  and  with  the  crude  means  of 
exhibiting  the  yet  sparse  productions  of  the  country,  and 
the  small  inducements  that  could  be  offered  to  exhibitors, 
a  fair  in  a  country  that  is  itself  but  a  jear  old,  must  con- 
sequently have  been  but  a  slight  suggestion  of  what  the 
ones  which  followed  would  be.  Still,  in  the  light  of  many 
years'  experience,  we  can  look  upon  this  early  effort  with 
all  the  conditions  that  surrounded  it  as  quite  a  succeBS, 


312 

and  compared  quite  favorably — considering  the  circum- 
stances—with our  grand  display  of  the  last  few  years. 

Through  the  courteous  kindness  of  Mrs.  Lowry,  of  Win 
field,  and  Mr  A.  T.  Stewart,  of  Kansas  City,  I  am  indebt 
ed  for  the  use  of  the  racords  of  the  first  Cowley  county 
fair  held  here.  To  Mr.  Stewart  must  be  ascribed  much  of 
the  success  of  the  association,  as  he  gave  much  time  and 
energy  to  the  work,  assisted  by  many  others. 

The  first  minutes  recorded  are  as  follows  : 

July  22nd,  1871. 

"Minutes  of  Meeting  Preceding  the  Adoption  of  the  Con- 
Htitution. 

"Pursuant  to  a  call  published  in  the  Cowley  Co.  Censor 
two  weeks  previously,  a  number  of  gentlemen  met  at  the 
school-house  on  Saturday,  July  22nd,  at  2  p.  ra.,  to  organ- 
ize an  Agricultural  Society  for  the  county. 

Rev.  S.  B.  Johnson  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  W.  W. 
Andrews,  Secretary. 

The  chairman  addressed  the  meeting  at  length,  discuss- 
ing its  object,  and  the  benefits  that  would  accrue  to  the 
people  of  the  county  through  such  an  organization.  He 
was  followed  by  C.  M.  Wood,  Mr.  Weathers,  Mr.  Stewart 
and  others. 

All  seemed  determined  to  have  a  society  at  once,  and 
for  that  purpose  a  committee  consisting  of  C.  M.  Wood, 
D.  A.  Millington  and  T.  H.  Johnson,  to  appoint  a  commit- 
tee that  would  represent  each  township  in  the  county  to 
meet  at  this  place  August  5th,  at  2  oclock,  p.  m.,  for  the 
purpose  of  preparing  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  the 
society. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  same  place 
Saturday,  August  .'Jth,  at  2  p.  m. 

W.  W.  Andrews,  Secretary." 


313 


Iff  J 


The  Charter  granted  to  the  society  in  the  following  May 
is  now  quite  a  relic,  a  copy  of  which  is  here  inserted. 

"Charter  of  the  Cowley  County  Agricultural  Society. 
State  of  Kansas  ] 
Cowley  County,  j  ®®"  . 

We  the  undersigned  residents  and  citizens  of  Cowley 
County,  Kansas,  do  by  these  presents  pursuant  to  and  in 
conformity  with  the  act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
Kansas,  entitled:  "An  act  concerning  private  corpora- 
tions," approved,  February  29th,  1868,  and  the  acts  of 
said  Legislature  amendatory  thereof,  associate  ourselves 
together  and  do  form  a  body  politic  and  corporate  and  do 
set  forth  : 

I.  The  name  of  this  Corporation  shall  be  "The  Cowley 
County  Agricultural  Society. 

II.  The  object  for  which  it  is  formed  is  the  encourage- 
ment of  Agriculture  and  Horticulture. 

III.  The  place  where  its  business  is  to  be  transacted  is 
Winfleld,  Cowley  County,  Kansas. 

IV.  The  term  for  which  said  corporation  is  to  exist  shall 
be  perpetual. 

V.  The  name  of  the  Directors  who  shall  manage  the 
business  of  the  Corporation  for  the  t  ^st  year,  and  their 
places  of  residence  is  as  follows,  to  wit : 

J.  D.  Cochran,  Win  field,  Kansas. 
A.  T.  Stewart,  Wintield,  Kansas. 
W.  W.  Limbocker,  Winfield,  Kansas. 
T.  A.  Blanchard,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

C.  M.  Wood,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

W.  W.  Andrews,  Winfieh',  Kansas. 
A.  D.  Speed,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

D.  A.  Millington,  Winfield,  Kansas. 
S.  M.  Fall,  Lazette,  Kansas. 

S.  C.  Winton,  Silverdale,  Kansas. 
J.  F  laul,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

E.  Davis,  Winfield,  Kansas. 

D.  N.  Egbert,  Jr.  Winfield,  Kansas. 

VI.  The  capital  stock  of  the    corporation  shall  be  two 


s| 


■^- 


i»>\ 

m 


*•* 


/p' 


.•V-  ..  .- 


314 


.thousand  dollars  to  be  divided  into  £fu.i'  hundred  shares 
of  five  dollars  each. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  subscribed  our  names  here- 
to this  7th  day  of  xMay,  A.  D.,  1872. 

A.  T.  Stewart, 
J.  D.  Cochran, 

D.  N.  Egbert,  Jr. 

E.  Davis, 
Jas.  F.  Paul. 

State  of  Kansas,  } 

COWLEY  COUNTY,   j       * 

Be  it  remembered,  that  on  this  7th  day  of  May,  A.  D., 
1872,  before  me.  County  Clerk  of  said  county,  personally 
came,  A.  T.  Stewart,  J.  D.  Cochran,  D.  N.  Egbert,  Jr.,  E. 
Davis,  Jas.  F.  Paul,  to  me  personally  known  to  be  the 
identical  persons  who  signed  the  foregoing  instrument 
of  writing,  and  severally  acknowledged  that  they  executed 
the  same  for  the  purposes  therein  mentioned. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
affixed  my  official  seal  the  day  and  year  last 
above  written. 
[seal.]  A.  A.  Jackson, 

County  Clerk. 

I,  W.  H.  Smallwood,  Secretary  of  State  of  the  State 
of  Kansas,  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true 
and  correct  copy  of  the  original  Certificate  of  Incorpora- 
tion, filed  in  my  office  May,  10th,  A.  D.  1872. 

.  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  subscribed 
my  name  and  affixed  the  Great  Seal  of 
the  State. 

Done  at  Topeka,  this  13th  day  of 
[seal.]  May,  A.  D.  1872. 

W.  H.  Smallwood. 

Secretary  of  State. 

With  the  characteristic   enterprise  which  has  always 

marked  the  people  of  Cowley,  especially  those  who  came 

at  an  early  date,  plans  were  soon  perfected  by  which  land 


ed  shares 
lines  here- 

^ART, 
IRAN, 
SRT,  J  R. 

UL. 


ay,  A.  D., 

;)ersonalJy 
ii%  Jr.,  B. 
to  be  the 
istrument 
executed 

hand  and 

year  last 

ON, 

iity  Clerk. 

the  State 

is  a  trae 

ncorpora- 

ibscribed 
kt  Seal  of 

h  day   of 

30D. 

of  State. 
,8  always 
rho  came 
hich  land 


315 

was  procured  of  Colonel  Loomis  for  the  Fair  Grounds. 
The  definite  number  of  acres  have  not  been  ascertained, 
but  they  were  ample  enough  to  sufficiently  accommodate 
all  who  came.  Those  who  attended  the  first  fair  state 
that  the  display  of  vegetables  and  grains  were  fine,  while 
perhaps  not  in  so  great  quantities  as  at  the  present  time, 
the  quality  both  of  vegetables  and  cereals  was  even  better. 
The  county  was  not  yet  developed  enough  to  have  a  fruit 
display  to  any  extent.  The  exhibit  of  swine  was  good  as 
none  but  those  of  the  best  pedigree  were  brought  from 
tiie  eastern  states,  and  a  little  pig  easily  carried  beneath 
one's  arm  brought  the  exorbitant  price  of  $5.00.  Fowls 
were  also  good  as  none  but  the  best  were  shipped  west, 
chickens  bringing  50  cents  each. 

Knowing  these  facts  it  is  safe  to  conjecture  that  the 
entire  display  was  a  credit  to  the  new  county,  and  its  en- 
ergetic citizens  who  first  evinced  enough  spirit  and  deter- 
mination to  come  west,  and  seeing  the  demand  for  extra 
effort  in  order  to  bring  out  the  resources  of  this  new 
county,  they  grasped  the  helm  ungloved  and  to-day  the 
public  spirited  pioneers  may  leisurely  and  proudly  look 
upon  the  fruits  of  their  early  efforts  which  they  have  seen 
culminate  into  objects  of  substantial  maturity  which  has 
not  alone  been  demonstrated  in  regard  to  the  Fair  Associa- 
tion,  but  also  in  other  matters  concerning  the  public  welfare- 


I. 


m  n 


If: 


tt",!( 


i 


i 


■;:( 


M.  M.  Jewett,  of  Bock  township,  was  elected  President 
of  the  Cowley  County  Fair  of  1871,  A.  T.  Stewart,  of 
Winfield,  Vice-President,  also  Eev.  B.  C.  Swartz,  of  Ar- 
kansas City.  In  examining  the  minutes  of  the  Associa- 
tion the  names  of  many  other  prominent  early  settlers  are 
found  holding  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  but  as 
space  will  not  allow  the  insertion  of  all,  an  omission  will 
be  pardonable.  The  financial  condition  of  the  society  was 
good,  as  at  the  close  of  the  fair  a  surplus  remained  after 
all  indebtedness  was  canceled. 

The  grounds  lying  south  of  Winfield  were  eventually 
abandoned  and  an  island  owned  by  Mrs.  Andrews,  lying 
north  of  the  town  site  and  now  intersected  by  the  'Frisco 
railroad  bridge,  was  chosen  ar  a  suitable  place  in  which 
to  hold  the  annual  exhibit.  J.  W.  Millspaugh,  of  Vernon, 
was  elected  President  of  the  fair  held  upon  the  Andrews 
tract;  Mrs.  Andrews  was  paid  a  stipulated  amount  for  the 
use  of  the  ground. 

The  natural  protection  afl^orded  by  a  bend  in  the  creek 
excepting  at  a  few  points  in  which  the  water  was  shallow, 
where  pickets  were  stationed — obviated  the  necessity  of 
fencing,  for  nature's  barrier  was  sufficient  to  keep  out  the 
intruders. 

Temporary  buildings  were  covered  with  boughs  of  trees 
and  over  this  was  stretched  white   cotton  cloth  which 


I*' 
lii 


317 


made  a  good  substitute  for  the  more  expensive  board 
covers. 

The  condition  of  the  Fair  Association  as  regards  money 
matters  was  not  now  in  so  prosperous  condition  and  when 
at  the  close  of  the  fair,  above  mentioned,  the  funds  were 
not  sufficient  with  which  to  pay  the  premiums  and  as  the 
President  wished  to  close  honorably,  proposed  to  be  one 
of  three  who  would  draw  equal  amounts  each  from  his 
private  fund  and  pay  the  indebtedness,  which  would  have 
amounted  to  over  $50  each,  but  as  others  could  not  be 
found  who  were  willing  to  take  the  responsibility  the  mat- 
ter was  dropped. 

In  order  to  show  the  rapid  strides  made  in  Cowley 
county  since  1871,acarefully  prepared  statement  collected 
from  the  records  of  the  Cowley  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, of  which  Mr.  Mooso  was  a  member,  and  with  many 
others  of  the  early  settlers,  assisted  in  erecting  a  monu- 
ment to  which  they  may  point  with  pride,  when  mention 
is  made  of  the  Cowley  County  Fair.  From  an  old  ''letter 
head,"  we  find  A.  T.  Stewart,  President ;  C.  M.  Wood, 
Vice  President ;  J.  D.  Cochran,  Treasurer ;  D.  N.  Egbert^ 
Secretary. 

A  committee  of  ladies  was  chosen  to  prepare  a  premium 
list.  The  names  were  as  follows :  Mrs.  Mansfield,  Mrs» 
Wood,  Mrs.  Tansey,  Mrs.  Jackson  and  Mrs.  Lowry. 


318 

All  business  connected  with  the  early  fairs,  appears 
to  have  been  transacted  in  a  systematic  and  thorough 
manner,  as  the  following  will  show. 


STATE  OF  KANEAS, 

COWLEY   COUNTY. 


[  S8. 


I,  A.  A.  Jackson,  County  Clerk  in  and  for  the 
county  and  state  aforesaid,  do  hereby  certifiy  that  the 
Cowley  County  Agricultural  Society',  was  organized  in 
accordance  with  the  laws  of  Kansas  now  in  force,  and 
that  C.  iM.  Wood,  A.  T.  Stewart  and  T.  A.  Blanchard  were 
appointed  a  committee,  and  were  empowered  by  said  so- 
ciety to  negotiate  for  advertisements  in  their  premium 
lists,  and  all  acts  done  by  them  will  be  bindin;^  on  said 
society.  , 

In  witness  whereof  I  havft  set  my  hand  and  seal  this 
day,  at  Winfield,  Kansas,  June  27th,  1872. 
County  Clerks  [Sealj  A.  A.  Jackson, 

Cowley  County,  Kansas.  County  Clerk. 

From  the  treasurer's  report  we  glean  the  following :  Li- 
abilities— Loomis,  for  land,  $1,200;  Menor,  for  land,  $150j 
making  a  total  of  money  expended  for  land  $1,350;  and  that 
was  only  a  part  of  the  actual  outlay,  as  buildings,  fences 
and  other  necessary  expenses  made  it  quite  an  amount  at 
that  time,  when  business  men  and  home-seekers  were 
obliged  to  make  all  their  ready  cash  count  in  their  person- 
al business  matters.  Notwithstanding  all  these  hindrances 
the  public-spiiited  men  and  women,  with  the  truly  imbued 
grit  of  the  pioneer,  retrenched  their  own  expenses  some- 
what, that  they  might  assist  in  carrying  forward  an  enter- 
prise which  in  course  of  time  has  brought  them  good  re- 


} 


319 


turns,  which  has  been  well  demonstrated  by  the  fine  ex- 
hibit from  our  county,  which  has  elicited  so  much 
praise  from  the  residents  and  visitors  of  Columbus,  Ohio, 
at  its  Exposition  of  1888. 

The  "Hoosiers"  at  Indianapolis,  three  years  preceding, 
express  themselves  in  high  terms,  as  an  extract  from  the 
Indianapolis  Journal  will  bear  witness  : 

Cowley  County  Products "And  where  is  Cowley 

county  ?"  was  the  eager  inquiry  of  hundreds  of  the  thou- 
sands wh3  looked  admiringly  upon  the  magnificent  array 
of  apples,  ])ears,  peaches,  grapes,  melons  and  other  pro- 
ducts temptingly  spread  in  the  Exposition  building.  Well 
might  they  ask,  for  surely  a  flner  fruit  display  was  never 
seen  in  Indiana.  Cowley  county  is  in  Southern  Kansas, 
on  the  border  of  the  Indian  Territory.  The  exhibit  is  for 
the  purpose  of  advertising  to  the  world  the  productive- 
ness of  that  new  and  wonderful  region.  The  display  is  in 
care  of  Capt.  P.  A.  Huffman,  a  well  known  Indianian,  recent- 
ly moved  there,  together  with  J.  F.  Martin,  president  of 
the  Cowley  County  Agricultural  Society;  S.  P.  Strong, 
vice-president;  and  J.  D.  Guthrie,  one  of  the  directors. 
The  county  seat  is  Winfleld,  a  beautiful  city  of  9,000,  with 
gas,  waterworks,  and  every  convenience  possessed  by  In- 
dianapolis. This  county,  only  fifteen  years  old;  is  the 
eighth  in  population;  ranks  eighth  in  the  production  of 
corn;  ninth  in  cultivated  land;  and  tenth  in  wheat.  It  has 
thirty  post-oifices;  thirty-six  church  organizations;  twenty- 
six  church  edifices;  church  property  valued  at  .<!<  1 10,000.^ 

We  fear  that  Captain  Huffman  and  the  gentlemen  with 
him,  together  with  the  handsome  showing  of  the  products 
of  this  Kansas  garden  spot,  will  cause  an  exodus  of  thrif- 
ty, enterprising  Hoosiers  to  that  place,  which  we  can  hard- 
ly afford  to  spare",  &c. 


I  I 


!S 


320 

Extracts  from  minutes  of  Secretary  of  Agricultural 
Society. 

"The  society  held  a  Fair  Sept.  10-17-18,  187:3.    The  num- 
ber of  entries  made  were  .'M)9. 
The  total  receipts  from  all  sources  were,  $700.10. 

The  Secretary  has  been  in  regular  monthly  commuuica- 
tion  with  tlie  secretary  of  the  State  Hoard  of  Agriculture, 
and  has  furnished  the  required  information  to  entitle  the 
Society  to  an  appropriation  of  $200  from  the  county 
which  has  been  drawn. 

A  storm  demolished  the  buildings  of  the  Society  and 
the  fence  around  the  land,  which  caused  an  expenditure  of 
over  $200. 

The  Society  paid  r>0  per  cent  of  its  entire  premiums. 

The  Society  has  maintained  its  high  reputation  with  the 
State  Board  of  Agriculture,  for  usefulness. 

I  recoAimend  the  authorization  of  issue  of  100  shares  of 
additional  stock  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  society." 


Miltura) 


321 


e  num- 


nnuica- 
Bulture, 
At\e  the 
county 

sty  and 
iture  of 


ith  the 


ares  of 

XT    '' 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Removal  to  Iiidiau  Territory — Departure  of  Mrs.  Mooso« 

In  February,  Mr.  Mooso  left  Cowley  county  for  the 
Indian  Territory,  with  a  view  to  engaging  in  agriculture 
and  stock  raising  among  the  Indians.  He  went  east  as  far 
as  Independence,  as  that  was  then  the  chief  gate-way  to 
the  Indian  country.  From  Independence  he  proceeded 
down  the  Verdigris  to  tLe  mouth  of  the  Caney,  thence 
through  the  Creek,  Seminole,  and  Pottawatomie  countries 
to  Cherokee  Town  in  the  Chickasaw  country.  From 
Cherokee  Town  he  went  thirty  miles  east  of  Stonewall 
and  rented  a  farm  of  the  Indians. 

Here  ho  planted  a  err  ,  which  in  the  early  season,  gave 
promise  of  an  abundant  harvest,  but  a  severe  drouth  at 
midsummer,  followed  by  the  grasshopper  scourge,  swept 
away  every  hope  of  reward  for  a  summer's  toil. 

Another  crop  was  tried  entirely  of  cotton,  with  much 
better  success.  The  ground  being  prepared  much  in  the 
same  manner  as  for  corn,  but  with  more  care  ;  and  after 
the  youngplants  have  commenced  growingthriftily  they  are 
thinned  to  such  numbers  as  can  grow  and  perfect  the 
cotton  well,  the  cultivation  being  with  ploughs,  and  also 
hoes  being  used.    In  a  favorable  season,  the  plant  grow- 


'i^ 


■<■■! 


322^ 

iiig  to  quite  heigh th,  and  when  the  bolls  burst  the  downy 
cotton  tufts  upon  the  plants  present  a  beautiful  appearance, 
as  one  beholds  an  entire  field  bedecked  with  its  snowy 
yield. 

The  crop  was  picked  partly  by  women  and  children,  who 
were  paid  by  the  pound,  many  earning  good  wages,  as 
some  were  very  rapid.  It  does  not  so  much  require  mus- 
cle as  dexterity. 

Mr.  Mooso  had  the  cotton  ginned  upon  the  place,  after 
which  he  found  market  for  it  at  Fort  Smith,  bringing  him 
12  3-4  cents.  The  seed  was  utilized  as  feed  for  stock,  and 
in  some  places  an  oil  is  extracted,  and  the  lard  consumer 
may  console  himself  that  he  is  eating  the  oil  of  cotton- 
seed when  he  purchases  the  remarkably  white  substance 
put  up  in  small  cans  and  labeled  "fresh  lard." 

This  experiment,  under  many  disadvantageous  circum- 
stances, was  sufficiently  successful  to  prove  beyond  a 
doubt  that  cotton  culture  can  be  made  profitable  in  this 
region.  And  now,  with  the  present  prospect  of  the  open- 
ing of  the  Indian  Territory  for  settlement  in  the  near  future, 
it  cannot  be  considered  entirely  preposterous  to  suggest 
that  we  may,  >vitbiu  the  present  century,  see  this  wild 
waste  classed  as  a  cotton-growing  section. 

After  satisfying  himself  that  renting  land  of  Indian 
landlords  was  not  at  all  a  desirable  thing,  he  sold  out  his 


'!■  'bII'! 


m, 


downy 

arauce, 

Bnowy 

3n,who 
ges,  as 
re  mus- 

e,  after 
ng  him 
>ck,  and 
nsumer 
cotton- 
ostance 

circum- 
jyond  a 
!i  in  this 
e  open- 
■  fat -.re, 
suggest 
lis  wild 

Indian 
out  his 


323 

..nterests,  and  as  he  was  to  receive  payment  at  Ft.  Smith, 
in  Arkansas,  he  proceeded  thither. 

Fort  Smith  at  this  time  contained  five  dry  goods  stores, 
several  of  general  merchandise,  seven  saloons,  a  number 
of  churches,  and  a  Catholic  school  under  the  control  of 
the  Sisters  of  Charity.  The  town  does  not  present  a 
pleasing  appearance,  being  situated  upon  the  south  side  of 
the  Arkansas  river,  near  the  confluence  of  this  and  the 
river  Poteau,  lying  north  of  the  Poteau  mountains.  The 
site  is  low,  and  the  town  very  irregularly  laid  out  and  un- 
symmetrical  throughout  its  entire  length.  Indians  from 
the  Territory  make  this  the  poiat  at  which  they  market 
their  yearly  cotton  crop.  They  have  learned  somethmg  of 
the  thrift  of  the  whites,  and  take  in  exchange  for  their 
produce  substantial  articles  of  clothing  and  edibles — al- 
most invariably  requiring  some  cash  with  which  to  pro- 
cure whiskey,  and  which  they  find  quite  difficult  to  obtain 
within  the  Territory,  as  the  vigilant  agents  deal  out  pun- 
ishment to  the  vender  of  the  article — to  the  Indian — with 
such  severity  that  none  but  the  boldest  dare  venture  upon 
its  sale. 

A  very  small  portion  of  the  land  owned  by  the  Indian  is 
under  *     tivation,  a  patch  often  oi  fifteen  acres  being  suf- 
ficient to  produce  as  much  corn,  tobacco  and  cotton  as  he 
requires  for  his   maintenance,  with  the  generous  gifts 


«i 


324 

which  he  receives  from  the  government.  This  makes  him 
comfortable,  if  he  can  be  taught  economy  and  industry. 

The  ordinance  of  secession  in  Arkansas  was  passed 
shortly,  following  the  firing  uoou  Fort  Sumter,  and  the 
state  authorities  seized  the  arsenals  at  Little  Bock  and 
Napoleon  and  gained  possession  of  Fort  Smith. 

The  state  is  finely  timbered.  Pine  forests  abound  ex- 
tensively, as  well  as  oak,  hickory,  walnut,  linn,  locust,  cy- 
press, cedar  and  others. 

The  temperature  is  moderate ;  frosts  are  rarely  seen. 
Potatoes  left  in  the  ground  during  the  winter  are  often 
found  palatable  when  taken  out  in  the  spring. 

The  Hot  Springs,  one  of  Nature's  most  singular  phe- 
nomena on  account  of  their  rare  medicinal  qualities,  have 
attracted  many  invalids  thithor,  and  a  town,  as  a  natural 
result,  has  grown  up. 

The  soil  upon  the  hilly  portions  is  not  so  rich  in  point 
of  production  as  the  bottom  lands,  which  are  said  to  be  of 
a  rich,  black  loam,  producing  cotton,  corn,  Irish  and  sweet 
potatoes ;  also  tobacco. 

In  some  of  the  rural  districts  the  residents  do  not  lav- 
ish much  expense  upon  their  dwellings,  as  many  of  them 
consist  of  rude  log  houses,  with  mortar  between  the  logs, 
called  chinking,  and  near  the  fire-place  a  portion  is  pushed 
out  that  the  inmates  may  satisfy  their  curiosity  by  looking 


325 

throngh  at  the  passer-by;  windows  being  considered  un- 
necessary. The  door  is  left  ajar  to  admit  light  and,  in  one 
respect,  they  are  greitly  ahead  of  some  who  claim  to  live 
in  a  manner  more  refined  and  tasteful,  but  often  neglect  to 
allow  an  opening  for  the  admission  of  that  life-giving  ele- 
ment— "pure  air,"  which  will  cheerfully  enter  even  upon  a 
suggestion  of  an  invitation.  This  mode  of  life  spoken  of 
J8  not  seen  except  in  localities  remote  from  the  influences 

"  towns  and  intelligent  communities. 

The  swine  are  allowed  the  freedom  of  the  woods,  sub- 
sisting chiefly  upon  the  acorns  which  fall.  They  are  long- 
limbed  and  gaunt,  but  the  meat  is  of  good  flavor. 

Fort  Smith  at  this  time  was,  in  many  respects,  uninvi- 
ting, as  in  many  instances  it  was  the  simple  lodging  place 
for  a  drifting  class,  which  gathered  there  with  a  view,  not 
to  legiti;nate  livelihood,  but  by  any  means  which  present- 
ed itse'r  This  class,  however,  was  in  the  minority,  con- 
sisp  jg  t*^  !i!Ose  who  had  fled  from  justice  and  sought  ref- 
uge on  rl  >  border  to  more  easily  elude  the  pursuit  of  oflB- 
eers. 

The  country  about  Ft.  Smith,  both  in  the  State  and 
Territory,  became  infested  with  a  notorious  class  of  crimi- 
nals and  it  was  evident  that  some  special  means  must  be 
eniiiU^yed  to  hunt  them  down,  or  they  would  soon  become 
a  mt ;  nee  to   every  legitimate   pursuit.      A  posse   was 


326 


organized  for  that  purpose  and  Ed  Mooso,  son  of  the  elder 
Mooso,  having  inherited  much  of  his  father's  love  of  ad- 
venture, furnished  a  traveling  outfit  for  the  company,  for 
which  service  he  was  to  receive  one  half  of  the  rewards 
obtained.  This  seemed  a  very  generous  allowance  as 
large  bounties  were  offered  for  many  of  the  most  notori- 
ous characters,  one  of  whom  was  an  immense  negro 
named  Fowler,  of  here  J  strength  and  equally  bad  in 
character,  and  a  very  large  reward  was  offered  for  his 
capture;  but  even  after  he  was  secured  and  turned  over 
to  the  authorities,  young  Mooso  failed  to  receive  the 
promised  amount. 

Yet  with  all  its  irregularities  and  irresponsibility,  the 
country  was  marked  by  that  energy  and  push  so  charac- 
teristic of  our  frontier.  Philosophically  speaking  the 
principal  factor  in  the  momentum  of  our  eastern  communi- 
ties is  weight,  while  in  our  western  communities  it  is 
velocity. 

So  while  our  western  cities  that  would  scarcely  be  al- 
lowed the  distinction  of  respectable  villages  in  tue  east, 
by  this  element  of  tireless  activity  are  felt  at  the  terminal 
points  of  our  arteries  of  trade,  the  older  towns  of  the  east 
are  hardly  known  to  exist  a  score  of  miles  beyond  their 
corporate  limits.  Ft.  Smith  was  at  this  time  without  rail- 
road connections,  hence  the  great  freighting  business  of- 


327 


1    ■ 


fered  employment  to  every  one  who  could  supply  himself 
with  teams. 

The  navigation  of  the  Arkansas  never  having  been  a 
success  or  at  least  reliable  above  Little  Rock,  left  not 
only  the  business  west  into  the  Territory  to  the  wagon, 
but  a  great  business  across  the  Ozark  mountains  from  the 
east  and  northeast.  These  can  hardly  be  dignified  by  the 
term  mountain,  as  in  the  northwest,  they  assume  only  the 
proportion  of  hills. 

It  was  not  difficult  with  such  an  opening  for  labor,  to 
find  employment,  and  with  two  good  teams  Mr.  Mooso 
soon  found  himself  engaged  in  a  lucrative  business,  freight- 
ing across  the  Ozarks.  The  work  was  very  trying  as  the 
roads  were  little  else  than  cleared  paths  through  the 
rough  rocky  gorges,  across  deep,  rapid  and  unbridged 
streams,  with  the  passing  and  repassing  of  the  worst  ele- 
ment  of  the  frontier,  but  withal  it  brought  money  which 
removes  much  that  is  distasteful  in  almost  any  vocation. 


Thirteen  children  had  now  been  added  to  the  family  of 
Mr.  Mooso,  some  of  whom,  however,  died. 

Mrs.  Mooso  as  years  advanced  became  somewhat  rest- 
less, as  from  time  to  time  letters  came  from  her  parents 
in  Utah,  and  as  she  had  not  seen  them  since  her  depart- 
ure, then  a  young  wife,  and  urgent  requests  came  from 
them  asking  that  she  come  to  Salt  Lake;  she  at  different 


!: 


isjl 


!9i! 
'I 

l! 
t 

■  i' 


ij 


i  .f 


ii 


u 


328 

times  asked  her  husband  to  accompany  her  to  the  Mor- 
mon[couutry,  but  with  a  vivid  remembrance  of  his  past 
experience  with  them  he  declined  doing  so. 

Again  and  again  Mrs.  Hinman  wrote  her  daughter  that 
she  must  see  her  before  her  death  and  wrote  more  favora- 
bly of  the  Mormon  faith.  She  had  years  before  expressed 
herself  quite  diflferently,  but  as  they  were  prospered  and 
the  church  came  to  be  a  power  felt  not  only  in  the  United 
States,  but  in  other  countries,  and  the  constant  pressure 
brouglit  to  bear  upon  her  by  the  doctrines  which  daily 
and  hourly  she  heard,  her  feelings  changed.  Another  rea- 
son may  be  ascribed  also,  as  her  domestic  peace  was  not 
disturbed  by  the  invasion  of  that  most  dreaded  monster, 
"polygamy",  and  as  a  woman's  world  is  her  home,  to  a 
great  extent,  Mrs.  Hinman  gradually  became  a  devout  fol- 
lower of  the  Mormons,  and  was  happy  in  her  religion  be- 
cause she 'was  a  happy  wife  and  mother ;  perhaps  this 
may  not  sound  logical  but  in  no  place  this  side  of  Heaven 
is  there  one  spot  which  is  held  so  dear  by  the  true  wo- 
man as  home,  if  it  is  a  happy  one ;  and  there  are  without 
question  such,  even  among  the  Mormons. 

The  surroundings  of  Mrs.  Mooso's  home  were  not  pleas- 
ant; as  at  that  time  the  people  about  her  were  not  as  a 
class  those  whom  one  would  care  to  choose  as  compan- 
ions, and  having  always  been  of  a  retiring  and  refined   na- 


329 


ture,  as  time  advanced  she  wished  for  a  change,  and  finally 
after  the  lapse  of  several  years — but  not  until  both  parents 
had  died — she  again  urged  Mr.  Mooso  to  accompany  her 
but  as  before  he  declined. 

She  finally  decided  to  go  with  four  children  and  told 
him  her  decision,  hoping  that  he  might  be  induced  to  fol- 
low h  I',  and  communicated  the  fact  to  a  neighbor. 

That  strange  element  within  the  human  breast  which 
puts  upon  the  face  a  mask  of  gayety  or  indifference,  seals 
the  lips  to  loving  words  and  allows  naught  but  common- 
place oues  to  be  uttered — usually  denominated  pride — 
took  possession  of  the  husband  and  father,  and  with 
something  of  nervous  alacrity  he  informed  his  wife  that 
the  means  was  at  her  disposal  with  which  to  prepare  her- 
self and  children  for  the  journey.  All  the  time,  wounded 
affection  was  the  prevailing  feeling,  but  he  sought  to  hide 
from  his  wife  his  true  feelings,  and  she,  thinkiug  that  he 
would  certainly  follow  her  and  the  children,  made  neces- 
sary arrangements  for  her  journey. 

The  eatables  were  all  prepared,  the  wa^on  packed,  and 
•everything  in  readiness  for  the  wife's  departure. 

Upon  the  evening  before  Mrs.  Mooso  was  to  start  upon 
her  trip,  Mr.  Mooso  called  around  him  his  family,  and  a 
long  talk  followed,  such  an  one  as  those  who  were  about 
to  be  separated  perhaps  never  to  be  united  again  upon 


i 


i 


i 
I 


"^^sfSw^n^aiw** 


330 


earth,  would  quite  naturally  participate  in  ;  the  conference 
lasted  until  quite  late  in  the  night,  when  they  separated  to- 
waken  upon  the  morrow,  a  part  of  them  to  go  out  from 
home  into  other  paths  and  amid  other  associations.  The 
head  of  the  family  remaining  in  his  old  home. 

A  man  was  sent  with  a  team  and  wagon  to  convey  Mrs. 
Mooso  and  the  children  to  Ft.  McAllister ;  from  there  she 
went  to  Kansas  City,  thence  to  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  going  to 
the  home  of  her  brother,  a  resident  of  the  city,  where  she 
remained  for  some  time.  The  oldest  sou  who  was  with 
her,  died  shortly  after  her  rival.  She  eventually  went 
to  Idaho,  where  she  still  resides  with  he  •  youngest  son. 

After  the  departure  of  his  wife  Mr.  Mooso  was  confined 
to  his  room  for  some  time  by  protracted  sickness,  but  that 
wonderful  vigor  which  has  at  different  times  asserted  it- 
self in  spite  of  his  frequent  illness,  again  came  to  his  res- 
cue, and  he  was,  after  a  time,  himself  again. 

He  remained  in  the  Territory  for  two  years,  engaging  in 
farming,  and  later,  dealt  in  stock  quite  extensively,  which 
often  took  him  through  the  Cherokee  country;  and  indeed 
so  much  in  advance  are  they  in  point  of  civilization,  and 
also  so  fair,  that  it  ie  difficult  to  tell  them  from  the  whites, 
and  one  passing  from  any  of  the  border  states  into  their 
domains  cannot  realize  that  he  is  among  the  Indians. 

They  cultivate  their  farms,  keep  up  their  schools  and 


331 


towns,  and  are  the  most  cultured  of  any  of  the  North 
American  tribes,  as  they  have  a  written  language.  The 
daughters  of  many  of  the  chiefs  are  W'ell  educated,  both 
in  the  common  and  the  higher  branches,  and  many  of  them 
are  good  pianists. 

Much  of  the  land  owned  by  them  is  rented  or  leased  for 
a  term  of  years,  consequently  they  do  not  till  much  of  the 
soil  themselves,  but  depend  upon  the  rental  money  for  a 
livelihood. 

The  different  Indian  tribes  throughout  the  Territory 
have  not  increased  in  numbers  to  any  great  extent,  as 
their  lack  of  comfortable  dwellings  and  proper  food  for 
generations  preceding,  has  not  advanced  them  physically. 

Mr.  Mooso  found  something  of  his  old  love  of  adven- 
ture return  to  him  when  he  was  again  in  a  locality  where 
the  deer  and  other  wild  game  presented  itself,  and  seemed 
to  invite  him  to  try  his  skill  as  he  was  wont  in  years  past, 
when  he  was  in  his  element,  pursuing  the  deer  or  bear  on 
the  prairies  of  the  Pacific  slope. 

The  deer  at  that  time  being  plentiful,  the  residents  of 
the  Territory  found  it  no  diflBcult  task  to  slay  enough  of 
these  pretty  animals  to  supply  themselves  with  venison. 

The  prairie  wolf  had  become  such  a  pest  among  the 
small  pigs  in  the  farmer's  barnyard,  and  also  committed 
such  depredations  in  the  hen-roosts,  that  it  became  neces- 


I     'i- 


-I: 


332 


sary  to  make  an  extra  effort  to  rid  the  country  of  the  nui- 
sance, and  a  large  number  of  the  citizens  arranged  for  a 
hunt.  Upon  the  day  fixed  might  have  been  seen  a  large 
number  of  men  mounted  and  congregated  in  one  place, 
where  they  were  divided  into  sections,  each  division  being 
assigned  a  certain  portion  of  the  territory,  including  a  ra- 
dius of  thirty  or  forty  miles;  the  horsemen  knowing  at 
what  points  to  separate,  each  going  out  by  himself  and 
gradually  closing  in  upon  the  wolves  until  they  are  killed 
by  the  hunters'  guns,  aided  by  the  dogs,  which  are  taken 
with  their  masters  to  assist  in  the  hunt.  Some  of  these 
attempts  proved  quite  successful,  as  large  numbers  were 
often  dispatched;  and  again,  after  a  tiresome  day's  chase, 
the  nimrods  would  get  but  a  few  pelts  as  a  reward  for  their 
industry.  By  continuous  efforts,  however,  the  country  was 
not  infested  by  them  to  the  extent  that  it  was  at  the  first 
hunt,  and  the  stock  was  protected  against  their  ravages. 

Hunting  the  wild  turkey  proved  profitable,  as  the  meat 
is  much  finer  and  more  delicate  in  flavor  than  that  of  the 
domesticated  bird,  and  when  Mr.  Mooso  had  supplied  his 
own  demands  for  this  delicate  meat,  a  ready  market  was 
found  for  the  turkey,  which,  when  frozen,  can  be  sent  to 
^reat  distances. 

The  male  turkey  is  quite  large — often  nearly  four  feet  in 
length ;  the  female  being  smaller.    The  plumage  of  the  male 


33a 


IB  exceedingly  bright  and  varjing  in  its  colors.  As  the  sun 
shines  upon  it,  sometimes  one  will  be  ready  to  pronounce 
it  green,  again  golden,  and  perhaps  at  a  third  view,  black. 

About  the  most  successful  method  of  hunting  the  tur- 
key is  with  a  dog,  which  when  trained  to  the  sport,  can 
scent  the  flock  at  a  great  distance,  and  when  he  discovers 
them  he  starts  off  silently  but  rapidly,  and  when  Hearing 
them  utters  a  sharp  bark  and  rushes  into  the  center  of 
the  flock  and  they  scatter  in  every  direction.  The  hunter 
can  then  easily  shoot  them.  When  disturbed,  they  often 
alight  in  a  tree. 

One  mode  of  killing  them,  related  by  Mr.  Mooso,  was 
this :  During  the  winter,  when  there  is  enough  light  from 
the  rays  of  the  moon  to  enable  one  to  see  the  bird  perch- 
ed upon  the  limb  of  a  tree,  where  it  chooses  to  roost,  they 
can  be  shot  by  one  expert  in  the  use  of  the  rifle,  and  sin- 
gularly enough  they  will  hear  shot  after  shot  fired  and  not 
take  wing,  and  consequently  great  numbers  are  destroyed 
in  this  manner.  They  often  visit  cornfields  in  droves  and 
destroy  the  young  blades  and  even  after  it  has  matured 
into  the  ripe  ear,  they  will  make  great  havoc. 

The  captain  now  decided  that  he  did  not  care  longer  to 
remain  within  the  Territory  and  in  the  following  spring 
returned  with  his  son  Josiah  to  Wiufield  where  he  has 
since  resided. 


384 


CHAPTER  XXXir. 


, 


The  Salvation  Army — Its  Origin — Mr.  M ooso's  Conversion. 

Rev.  Wm.  Booth,  a  Methodist  clergyman,  who  saw  much 
of  the  poverty,  degradation  and  wickedness  of  the  lower 
classes  in  the  east  of  London,  and  of  their  need  of  relig- 
eous  instruction,  and  that  the  masses  were  indifferent  as 
to  salvation  became  so  burdened  with  the  thought  that 
hundreds  of  souls  within  his  reach  should  perish  for  the 
"bread  of  life",  alter  prayerful  consideration  commenced 
preaching  on  the  street  corners  in  the  parts  of  the  city  the 
most  frequented  by  these  people,  where  he  met  at  first 
the  bitterest  animosity,  jeers,  insults,  and  even  brutal  at- 
tack, bui  with  a  truly  Christ-like  spirit  he  patiently  bore 
these  and  in  Mme  as  a  reward  for  his  labors  a  few  were 
converted.  So  genuine  were  these  conversions  they  were 
shining  examples  of  the  eflBcacy  of  the  atonement;  grad- 
ually more  were  added  to  the  number  until  they  in  tim« 
were  so  powerful  an  auxiliary  to  the  police  force  in  main- 
taining order  that  the  precincts  in  which  the  meetings 
were  held  became  comparatively  quiet,  where  before  crime 
in  its  worst  forms  prevailed,  having  been  but  partially 
held  in  check  by  the  authorities. 


335 


I-, 


Many  objections  were  made  that  the  worst  characters 
"wpre  their  listeners  and  converts,  but  the  soul  of  the  poor 
unlettered,  debased,  man  or  woman  is  just  as  precious  in 
the  sight  of  Ilim  who  came  not  to  call  the  "righteous,  but 
sinners  to  repentance,"  as  that  of  the  more  learned  and 
less  debased. 

The  very  best  j)roof  of  the  genuineness  of  their  profess- 
ions lies  in  the  fact  of  the  radical  change  through  which 
many  of  them  pass  from  the  fighting,  drinking,  profane 
man  to  the  God-fearing  one,  cheerfully  testifying  to  the 
fact,  whereas  "I  was  blind  and  now  I  see"  aix'  their  entire 
consecration  when  lifted  out  of  this  life  into  one  of  rest, 
trust  and  joy.  There  is  something  remarkably  touching 
in  the  fact  that  the  young  girl  with  all  the  natural  love  of 
dress,  society  and  pleasures  should  put  behind  her  all 
these  attractions  and  with  sweet  self-abnegation  of  all  that 
which  has  been  to  her  an  intoxicating  dream  of  happiness 
Bnd  live  a  life  of  self  denial,  toil  and  sometimes  of  re- 
proach, that  she  may  be  instrumental  in  bringing  into  the 
fold  some  fallen  one.  How  chary  would  we  be  of  our 
■criticisms  could  we  understand  the  gentle  spirit  which 
actuates  these  christian  people  who  have  reached  in  our 
own  city  those  who  could  not  have  been  induced  to  enter 
«.  church,  but  have  been  attracted  to  the  barracks,  per- 
haps at  first  by  curiosity.    And  why  cannot  they  be  in- 


•;! 


336 


I 


]ll 


f--'W 


^'-^y  ■■'■ 


(laced  to  enter  a  church  t    Will  you,  occupying  your  cuHh.. 
ioned  pew  with  an  unquestionably  aristocratic   air  and 
wearing  garments  which  good  taste  would  dictate  as  bet- 
ter suited  to  an  evening  reception,  answer  the  question? 

The  name  barracks,  has  been  adopted  in  accordance  with 
the  military,  as  all  through  they  use  the  same  terms  as  are 
used  in  the  army. 

The  object  of  the  banding  together  of  this  body  of  chris- 
tians was  the  salvation  of  the  great  army  of  unsaved  souls,, 
hence  the  name  "Salvation  Army". 

The  uniform  which  they  wear  was  chosen  that  they 
might  more  easily  be  designated  from  the  balance  of  those 
standing  upon  the  streets,  and  was  adoiited  eleven  years 
after  their  organization.  The  music  of  the  tambourine 
and  drum,  accompanied  by  song  is  used  as  au  attractive 
feature,  af  something  of  a  tangible  and  excitin^j  nature,  al- 
ways reaches  the  classes  with  whom  they  have  to  deal,, 
and  if  attention  can  be  secured  they  will  then  listen  to 
gospel  truths. 

They  have  been  accused  of  substituting  excitement  for 
real  conversion,  but  the  tenacity  with  which  their  converts 
hold  fast  has  proven  this  accusation  not  correct.  There 
are  those  who  sometimes  go  back  into  their  old  ways,  but 
this  will  prov«  true  of  all  churches,  and  when  considering 
how  deeply  some  of  their  members  before  their  conver- 


337 


it  ■' 


sion  have  plunged  into  the  depths  of  iniquity,  it  would  be 
almost  miraculous  if  none  returned  to  the  old  life,  but 
even  these  are  comparatively  few. 

Their  members  had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  in 
1883  five  hundi'ed  and  twenty-eight  corps,  or  stations,  and 
two  hundred  ane  foi*ty-tive  field  outposts  had  been  estab- 
lished ;  the  stations  being  the  centre  from  which  branch 
or  originate  the  outposts. 

There  are  one  thousand  five  hundred  officers  who  have 
given  their  lives  to  the  work,  many  of  +hem  young  girls. 
There  are  now  eighteen  different  countries  in  which  are 
represented  the  Salvation  Army,  and  in  their  respective 
places  they  are  doing  efficient  work. 

Within  twenty  months  the  district  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Major  Pugmire,  which  includes  Kansas  and  Mis 
souri,  makes  a  record  of  eight  thousand  conversions. 

Many  erroneous  impressions  have  gone  abroad  in  refer" 
ence  to  their  doctrines  while  in  fact  they  are  only  those 
which  are  considered  essential  to  salvation  through  atone- 
ment by  orthodox  people.  The  do  not  claim  sanctifica- 
tion  ,  as  has  been  alleged,  but  believe  that  eve  ;  after  gen- 
uine conversion  they  are  liable  to  fall. 

It  has  been  a  query  as  to  how  the  expenses  are  defray- 
ed, which  is  done  by  collections  taken  nightly  at  the  bar- 
racks, the  cost  of  the  living  of  the  local  officers — captain 


*1! 


I  i 


■1  .1 


338 


and  lieutenant — being  paid  and  any  other  expenses  which 
may  accrue,  after  which  they  are  entitled  to  a  small  salary 
if  anything  remains,  the  surplus,  if  any,  after  this  goes  into 
the  general  fund  and  is  used  toward  the  extension  of  the 
"War  Cry",  a  paper  i)ubli8hed  in  their  interests  in  New 
York;  the  establishment  of  new  stations,  building  of  halls 
for  the  training  of  officers,  &c. 

In  New  York  City  a  school  has  been  established,  in 
which  much  time  is  devoted  to  bible  study,  the  students 
going  out  upon  the  streets  and  laboring  among  the  poorer 
classes,  and  from  those  schools  are  sent  the  officers  to  the 
different  stations. 

"A  Rescue  Home"  for  fallen  women  has  also  been 
founded  in  the  city,  where  hundreds  of  reclaimed  girls  are 
sent,  and  when  sufficiently  strong,  are  engaged  in  selling 
the  "War  Cry"  on  the  streets,  and  it  is  claimed  they  ac- 
complish much  practical  good,  knowing  the  temptations 
to  which  their  sisters  are  subjected  and  can  reach  them 
more  efficiently  than  any  other  class.  Great  care  however, 
is  taken  that  these  women  do  only  this  kind  of  work,  as 
their  early  life  lias  been  of  such  a  nature,  that  they  are  not 
yet  sufficiently  strengthened  by  prayerful  resolutions  to  be 
trusted  with  the  work  assigned  to  the  officers.  In  their 
regular  meetings  they  have  no  bible  classes,  as  experience 
has  taught  them  that  better  work  can  be  done  by  testi. 


'  I  !■  ft 


339 

monies  from  all  the  soldiers,  reading  and  explanation  of 
the  scriptures  by  some  one  to  whom  the  work  may  be 
assigned.  The  major  having  charge  of  his  respective  dis- 
trict is  empowered  to  administer  the  sacrament,  swear  in 
converts,  visit  stations  as  necessity  demands  and  attend 
to  the  adjustment  of  matters  in  which  there  is  some  diffi- 
culty or  misunderstanding.  All  officers  are  subject  to 
orders  at  any  time,  from  headquarters,  and  to  disobey 
Ihem,  is,  many  times  to  be  considered  out  of  the  work. 

The  officers  wishing  to  rest  for  a  time  must  apply  to  the 
Major  having  charge  of  the  district  to  which  thej^  belong, 
and  a  furlough  is  granted  them  signed  by  the  Major  which 
in  form  is  much  like  those  issued  to  the  soldier  during  the 
late  war.  The  Cadets  who  go  out  to  the  out])OHts  to 
labor,  are  expected  to  conform  to  the  i'  ^uhitions  of  the 
"army"  and  to  assist  in  every  way  in  the  ''war*'  against 
sin,  and  the  advancement  of  the  work. 

One  of  the  best  features  of  their  plan  of  action  is  this: 
The  convert  is  expected  to  take  part  at  once  in  the  work, 
not  being  allowed  simi)ly  to  listen  but  urged  to  engage  in 
testifying,  singing  and  exhortation,  knowing  thereby  that 
he  will  grow  spiritually  if  thus  employed.  To  the  mayor  of 
the  city  of  Winfield,  much  credit  is  due  for  so  generously 
protecting  the  army  from  encroachments,  as  in  some 
neighboring  towns  the  authorities  have  failed  to   extend 


I  il 


11!      •, 

'■;  If  I 


i 


n  ■ 


340 

the  protection  which  they  had  power  to  do  and  as  a  result 
the  good  they  might  have  accomplished  has  not  been  done^ 
While  in  the  city  of  Winfield  in  about  the  space  of  a  year, 
according  to  the  reports  recorded  by  Major  Pugmire  six 
hundred  persons  have  been  fonverted,  some  of  whom,, 
have  been  those  who  were  visiting  in  the  city  but  the  ma- 
jority are  residents. 

Captain  Yoke  was  converted  under  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
Mrs.  Elliott,  when  she  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age  at 
that  time  becoming  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Methodist 
Church.  She  was  educated  at  Pauline  Holiness  College  in 
College  Mound,  in  the  north  of  Missouri.  Having  always 
been  ambitions  to  teach,  after  a  thorough  preparation  she 
commenced  her  profession  at  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas,  where  she 
remained  for  a  time,  and  during  a  visit  of  the  "army"  at 
that  place  she  was  induced  to  go  to  their  barracks  and  an 
impression  took  possession  of  her  that  she  was  called  of 
the  Lord  to  work  in  the  "army"  and  so  strongly  did  this 
idea  impress  her  that  she  could  not  rid  herself  of  the  feel- 
ing and  although  but  just  upon  the  eve  of  a  successful  pro- 
fessional career  gave  up  her  life  long  aspirations  and  join- 
ed the  "army"  as  a  cadet,  only  remaining  in  that  capacity 
for  a  short  time,  when  she  was  commissioned  as  lieuten- 
ant and  given  charge  of  the  Winfield  Corps,  when,  after  a 
few  months  she  was  promoted  to  captain. 


341 


Miss  Yoder  became  at  the  same  time  lieutenant.  She 
is  a  graduate  from  the  high  school  of  Lawrence,  Kansas 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  that 
place,  but  while  visiting  friends  at  Ottawa,  this  state,  heard 
for  the  first  time  the  "Salvation  Army"  and  like  Captain 
Yoke  felt  that  her  services  were  needed  in  the  cause,  and 
also  being  a  teacher  abandoned  her  calling  and  has  Deen 
a  co-worker  with  Captain  Yoke.  She  has  since  been  pro- 
moted to  captain  and  has  now  gone  to  a  field  of  labor  in 
Kansas  City,  Kansas,  Corps  No.  3. 

Captain  Yoke  has  received  orders  to  go  to  Ne  if  ton  and 
there  commence  her  labors.  That  these  two  young  girls 
have  accomplished  much  good — with  the  hearty  co-oi)era- 
tion  of  the  soldiers — cannot  be  denied,  since  coming  here. 
Besides  the  six  hundred  conversions  under  their  eflForts, 
six  officers  have  been  sent  out  from  the  corps.  These  two 
young  ladies  have  remained  a  longer  time  over  their 
charge  than  any  others  in  the  division,  which  speaks  well 
for  their  efiiciency  and  faithfulness. 

Prominent  among  those  who  have  been  led  to  see  the 
error  of  their  ways  is  the  subjec-t  of  tliis  book,  wliom  the 
reader  will  recollect  was  in  early  life  under  the  influence 
of  christian  parents,  and  especially  of  a  devoted  mother, 
who  sought  by  prayer  and  example  to  bring  her  boy  to 
drink  of  the  "water  of  life,"  and  could  she  have  been  pres- 


lii 


■I 


342 


ent  oil  the  night  when  the  grayhaired  old  man  bore  testi- 
mony of  a  changed  heart  she  might  have  exclaimed,  "Lord,, 
now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace  according  to 
thy  word,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation  which 
thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people."  It 
is  much  to  be  hoped  that  he  may  pass  a  quiet,  christian, 
old  age  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  restfulness  which  such  a  life 
alone  can  bring. 

The  cases  of  conversions  so  late  in  life  are  not  of  fre- 
quent occurrence,  the  majority  of  active  church  members 
being  converted  before  arriving  at  twenty.  The  germ 
which  the  mother's  hand  had  sown  in  the  heart  and  mind 
of  her  young  son  had  apparently  been  cast  on  barren 
ground;  but  who  can  tell  but  all  those  years  in  which  he 
remained  so  indifferent  his  early  teachings  had  taken  root, 
and  although  fruitage  came  late  in  life  it  finally  culminated 
in  his  conversion. 

Having  been  a  habitual  devotee  of  the  weed,  and  drink- 
ing, since  young,  intoxicants,  as  well  as  being  profane,  all 
of  these  he  has  denounced  as  not  consistent  with  his  pro- 
fession, and,  so  far  as  the  knowledge  of  the  writer  ex- 
tends, he  has  kept  his  compact  inviolate.  Although  the 
habit  of  using  so  freely  of  tobacco  had  been  formed  when 
he  was  but  a  child,  and  those  who  have  known  him  the 
longest  can  testify  that  he  was  an  inveterate  smoker,  the 


^. 


343 

habit  having  become  fastened  upon  him  when  so  young, 
it  had  grown  with  his  growth,  and  strengthened  with  his 
strength;  find  after  over  seventy  years  of  its  daily  and  al- 
most hourly  use,  he  was  enabled,  after  his  conversion,  to 
abandon  it  altogether.  He  also  asserts  that  after  he  had 
decided  that  it  was  unbecoming  a  christian  to  let  a  habit 
cling  to  him  which  was  not  in  harmony  with  his  profes- 
sions, he  decided,  with  his  characteristic  firmness,  aided 
by  his  changed  life,  to  desist  from  its  further  use  without 
a  murmur.  The  testimony  of  many  who  have  used  freely 
of  the  weed  is,  that  the  habit  clings  even  more  closely 
than  that  of  the  use  of  liquors,  and  is  found  to  be  more 
difficult  to  break  away  from. 

■  Taking  into  account  all  these  facts,  Mr.  Mooso  has  shown 
much  decision  and  strength  of  character  in  being  able  to 
cast  aside  that  which  had  become  so  closely  allied  with  his 
being.  lie  does  not  claim  for  himself  any  particular  cred- 
it, but  attributes  it  to  a  changed  heart.  He  has  been  ral- 
lied at  different  times  by  his  friends,  and  they  have  pre- 
dicted that  before  long  he  would  go  back  to  his  old  habit; 
but  he  still  adheres  to  his  first  resolution  to  'touch  •  not. 
taste  not,  handle  not."  He  had  not  so  far  become  habitu- 
ated to  drink  as  to  feel  any  particular  inconvenience  when 
ceasing  its  use,  as  he  had  partaken  of  it  only  occasionally. 
Mr.  Mooso  confidently  affirms  that  abednence  from  the 


I 

ji 

I 


1  * 


344 


P"'; 


vm 


use  of  narcotics  has  greatly  strengthened  his  already  vig- 
orous constitution,  and  in  the  space  of  three  months  after 
its  discontinuance  eleven  and  three-quarter  pounds  have 
been  added  lo  his  normal  weight. 

If  so  marked  a  change  is  seen  in  a  man  already  over 
four  score  years  of  age,  when  the  vital  forces  are  con- 
stantly decreasing,  what  would  be  the  result  of  total  ab- 
stinence of  those  who  have  not  yet  reached  the  prime  of 
life  ? 

The  Winfield  Corps  is  now  under  the  charge  of  Captain 
Eva  Bowen,  formerly  engaged  to  some  extent  in  teaching 
in  private  schools. 

In  Jan.  188C,  under  the  ministrations  of  Captain  Thomp- 
son of  Chicago,  Miss  Bowen  was  converted  in  Sedalia, 
Missouri. 

The  barracks  are  now  in  the  north  of  Wintield,  situated 

on  Mp.in  Street,  and  the  room  is  hung  with  appropriate 

Scripture   Mottoes ;  the  National  Flag  holding  a  central 

position  upon  the  platform,  also  the  flag  used  by  the  Army. 

The  front  of  the  rostrum  is  tastefully  draped  with  the 

stars  and  stripes.     The  use  of  the  flag  by  the  "x\rmy"  can 

be  more  appropriately  given  by  an  extract  from  a  late  "War 

Cry,"  written  by  Mrs.  General  Booth. 

"OuB.  Flag — Yes,  we  are  marching  on ;  but  some  of  our 
friends  say,  "Well,  but  could  you  not  march  without  a 
^"     Yes,  we  could  march  without  a  flag,  and  we  have 


ri 


345 


marched  a  long  time  and  a  long  way  without  one ;  but  we 
<}an  march  much  better  with  one,  and  that  is  the  reason 
why  we  have  one. 

It  is  very  useful  to  direct  the  procession,  moving  the 
flag  when  the  leader,  who  is  often  a  little  woman,  wishes 
it  to  halt  or  to  march.  All  armies  have  banners,  and  we 
are  an  Army  ;  we  grew  into  one,  and  then  we  found  it  out, 
and  called  ourselves  one.  Every  soldier  of  this  Army  is 
pledged  to  carry  the  standard  of  the  cross  into  every  part 
of  the  world,  as  far  as  he  has  opportunity.  Our  motto  is 
"The  world  for  Jesus!"  We  have  all  sworn  fealty  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  ftiithfulness  to  The  Army,  be- 
cause it  represents  our  highest  conception  of  the  work  lie 
wants  us  to  do. 

Our  flag  is  not  chosen  to  represent  any  policy  or  glory. 
We  give  up  and  ignore  all  the  fashion,  respectability, 
wealth  and  position  of  this  world  on  purpose  to  go  down 
and  rescue  such  as  were  some  of  you.  This  flag  is  em- 
blematical in  its  colors.  The  crimson  represents  the 
precious  blood  by  which  we  were  all  redeemed ;  the  blue 
is  God's  chosen  emblem  of  purity ;  the  sun  represents  both 
light  and  heat,  the  light  and  the  life  of  men ;  and  the 
motto 

"Blood  and  Fire," 

the  blood  of  the  Lamb  and  the  fire  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
This  flag  is  a  symbol,  first  of  our  devotion  to  ou/  great 
Captain  in  Heaven,  and  to  the  great  purpose  for  wiiiv!li  He 
came  down  and  shed  His  blood — that  he  might  redeem 
men  and  women  from  sin  and  death  and  hell!  When  a 
soldier  enlists  in  the  service  of  his  country  he  gives  up, 
not  a  little  of  his  time,  or  of  his  money,  or  a  i)art  of  his 
strength,  talents,  or  influence,  but  HIMSELF!  So  I 
trust  every  one  who  shall  pledge  himself  to  our  flag  will 
resolve  to  give  himself  or  herself  up  absolutely — body, 
soul  and  spirit ;  all  he  has,  all  he  is,  and  all  he  can  do,  to 
be  used  up  in  the  glorious  service  of  his  Master  and  King! 
Soldiers  are  bound  to  be  always  ready  at  the  word  of 
command  to  attack  the  enemy,  and  as  soldiers  of  the 
-cross  we  are  bound  to  be  always  fighting  against  the  great 


A 


I 


340 


enemies  of  our  Lord  and  trying  to  win  their  votaries  as- 
servants  and  soldiers  of  our  King. 

Secondly.  This  flag  is  emblematical  of  our  faithful- 
ness to  our  great  trust.  Jesus  only  wants  faithful  sol- 
diers in  order  to  win  the  heathen  for  His  iniieritanee,  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  His  possession.  If 
Christian  soldiers  liad  been  faithful  in  the  past,  the  world 
would  have  been  won  for  Christ  long  ago!" 

Captain  Bo  wen  remained  a  cadet  but  a  short  time,  and 
was  promoted  from  lieutenant  to  captain  after  the  expira- 
tion of  a  month.  Her  life  is  wholly  consecrated  to  the 
work,  and,  like  all  those  who  have  become  identified  with 
this  missionary  cau6,e,it  is  a  life  of  crosses  and  self  denial ; 
her  songs,  which  she  renders  in  a  clear  soprano,  are  singu- 
larly beautiful,  and  many  of  them  conveying  sentiments 
beautifully  expressed. 

During  her  luinistratious,  six  hundred  have  been  con- 
verted. Lieutenant  Sallie  Lowe  has  proved  an  eflicient 
worker,  and  was  also  converted  at  Sedaiia,  under  the 
same  Captain  as  Miss  Bowen. 

The  lieutenant  has  been  ordered  to  Ottawa,  Kansas, 
where  she  will  go  at  once. 

This  work  commenced   for  the  first   time  in   America^ 

eight  years  since,  Yew  York  City  being  the  place  chosen 
to  open  the  work. 

A  training  garrison  has  recently  been  built  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  under  the  management  of  Marshall  Balling- 
ton  Booth  and  wife,  for  the   training  of  cadets  for  the 


347 


"Army."  The  above  mentioned  gentleman  being  a  son  of 
Rev.  Wm.  Booth,  whose  early  experience  it  has  been  our 
good  fortune  to  secure,  and  is  here  inserted. 

THE  SALVATION  ARMY— HOW  WE  BEGAN. 

BY  THE  GENERAL. 

I  was  born  in  Nottingham,  on  the  10th  of  April,  1829, 
and  converted  when  tifteen  years  of  ag«.  T  was  brought 
up  in  attendance  on  the  services  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, which  at  thirteen  I  exchanged  of  my  own  choice  for 
what  were  to  me  the  more  interesting  meethigs  of  Wesle- 
yan  Methodists.  There  was  nothing  very  remarkable  in 
the  measures  that  led  up  to  my  conversion ;  I  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  hearing  some  faithful  preaching,  and  came,  in 
my  new  associations,  under  the  intluence  of  some  godly 
friends,  while  as  far  back  as  I  can  remember  the  Holy 
Spirit  had  continually  shown  me  that  my  real  welfare  for 
time  and  eternity  depended  upon  the  surrender  of  myself 
to  the  service  of  God.  After  a  long  controversy  1  made 
this  submission,  cast  myself  on  His  mercy,  received  an  as- 
surance of  His  pardon,  and  gave  myself  up  to  His  service 
with  all  my  heart.  The  hour,  the  place,  and  many  other 
particulars  of  this  glorious  transaction  are  recorded  indeli- 
bly on  my  memoty. 

Two  events  which  transpired  soon  after  mj  conversion, 
had,  I  have  no  doubt,  a  very  powerful  influence  in  mould- 
ing my  religious  character  and  shaping  my  after  life.  The 
first  of  these  was  a  remarkable  religious  awakening  that 
came  to  the-  society  and  congregation  of  which  I  was  a 
member,  and  which  extended  for  miles  around  the  town. 
At  that  time  the  Reverend  James  Caughey,  an  American 
minister,  was  making  an  evangelic  tour  through  the  coun- 
try. He  was  an  extraordinary  preacher,  tilling  up  his  ser- 
mons with  thrilling  anecdotes  and  vivid  illustrations,  and 
for  the  straightforward  declaration  of  scriptural  truth  and 
striking  appeals  to  the  conscience,  1  had  up  to  that  time 
never  heard  his  equal ;  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  since. 

For  three  months  we  were  expecting  him,  during  which 


4\ 


sm 


lime  remarkable  stories  of  the  wonuerful  results  that  had 
attended  nis  ministry  elsewhere  were  continually  reaching 
us,  and  for  months  before  he  came  meetings  were  held  to 
pray  for  a  blessing  on  his  labors.  His  visit  was  conse- 
quently the  constant  topic  of  conversation,  and  everybody 
was  on  the  tii)-toe  of  expectation  when  he  arrived. 

The  result  answered  the  anticipation.  There  were  such 
crowds  and  rushes  to  hear  the  gospel  as  we  had  never 
dreamed  of  seeing.  There  were  wonderful  meetings,  won- 
derful influences,  and  wonderful  conversions.  Multitudes 
were  saved,  many  of  whom  became  the  most  useful  mem- 
bers of  the  society.  All  this  had  a  powerful  effect  upon 
my  young  heart.  The  straightforward  conversational  way 
of  putting  the  truth,  and  the  common-sense  method  of 
pushing  the  people  up  to  decision,  iind  the  corresponding 
rcBults  that  followed,  in  the  conversion  and  sanctification 
of  hundreds  of  people,  made  an  ineffaceable  impression 
on  my  mind,  iilling  me  not  only  with  confidence  in  the 
l)Ower  and  willingness  of  God  to  save  all  those  who  come 
unto  Him,  but  with  an  assurance  of  the  absolute  certainty 
Avith  which  soul-saving  results  may  be  calculated  upon, 
when  proper  means  are  used  for  their  acconii)lishment. 

I  saw  as  clearly  as  if  a  revelation  had  been  made  to  me 
from  Heaven  that  success  in  spiritual  work,  as  in  natural 
operations,  was  to  be  accounted  for,  not  on  any  mere  ab- 
stract theory  of  Divine  sovereignty,  or  favoritism,  or  acci- 
dent, but  on  the  employment  of  such  methods  as  were  dic- 
tated by  common  sense,  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the  Word  of 
God. 

A  second  event  that  had  a  powerful  influence  upon  my 
early  character  and  my  after  life,  was  the  remarkable  way 
with  which  I  saw  the  application  of  the  princii)le  which  I 
had  seen  so  successfully  acted  upon  among  the  religious 
portion  of  the  community  to  some  of  the  poorest  and  most 
desolate  people  in  the  town. 

Directly  after  this  awakening  I  was  laid  aside  with  a 
violent  attack  of  fever.  My  life  was  in  danger,  but  God 
mercifully  restored  me  to  health  and  I  went  out  to  devote 
my  spared  life  to  the  work  of  saving  souls,  which  became 
ever  after  the  supreme  business  of  my  existence.     During 


349 


my  illness  some  of  my  ccmriides  had  gone  down  to  one  of 
the  poorest  parts  of  the  town  and  2ommenced  meetings 
in  the  same  spirit  as  the  great  rivival  which  had  just  clos- 
ed in  the  big  chapel.  From  time  to  time  they  sent  notes 
to  my  sick  chamber  telling  how  they  wanted  me  to  help 
them,  and  as  soon  as  I  was  able  I  went  out  and  joined 
them  in  the  struggle  and  became  a  leader  in  the  tight. 

Our  plan  of  operation  was  simplicity  itself.  We  obtain- 
ed the  loan  of  cottages  and  in  these  held  meetings  every 
night,  always  commencing  with  an  open-air  address,  fine 
vfK  'ither  or  foul,  all  the  year  round,  inviting  the  people  in- 
doors for  another  meeting.  Hero  again  we  had  lively 
songs,  short  and  sharp  exhortations  insisting  upon  dei  is- 
ion  for  Christ  upon  the  spot,  which  was  to  be  signified  by 
coming  out  and  kneeling  at  the  round  table  that  stood  in 
the  middle  of  the  room.  These  efforts  were  accompanied 
by  visitation  of  the  sick  and  of  the  converts,  whose  names 
and  addresses  were  always  recorded,  together  with  pro- 
cepnions  to  the  big  chapel  on  the  Sunday  which  the  re- 
Bpec+able  authorities  of  the  society  soon  compelled  us  to 
take  in  at  the  back  door  where  the  free  seats  were.  When 
our  converts  died  we  had  Salvation  funerals ;  placing  the 
coffin  in  the  street,  singing  around  it,  another  meetin  jf  at 
the  grave  when  the  parson  had  done.  In  short  we  had  a 
miniature  Salvation  Army. 

I  have  said  that  these  two  series  of  events  influenced 
my  character  and  after  conduct.  From  the  first  I  doubt- 
less learnt  those  simple  principles  upon  which  I  have  act- 
ed with  a  blessed  measure  ever  since,  and  by  the  latter  1 
was  convinced  that  God  was  not  only  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons, but  that  human  nature  was  as  religiously  impression- 
able if  not  more  so  in  its  poorest,  most  ignorant  and 
wretched  forms  as  in  any  other. 

But  as  time  went  on  the  influence  and  methods  of 
church  usage  and  the  "traditions  of  the  elders"  carried 
me  away  from  these  simple  plans  on  to  the  ordinary  and 
orthodox  church  lines  of  action.  I  must  be  a  regular 
preacher  and  go  through  set  forms  and  deliver  regular 
sermons.     All  the  influence  and  regulations  of  the  society 


1 


350 


in  which  I  lived  and  moved,  and  it  is  not  moch  exaggera- 
tion to  say,  I  all  bui  worshiped,  willed  it  to  be  so. 

At  seventeen  my  Superintendent  Minister  wished  to 
see  me.  He  desired  that  1  should  go,  as  it  ^'s  termed,  "on 
to  the  plan,"  that  is,  become  a  local  preacher.  I  declined, 
my  youth  was  my  excuse.  The  secret  feeling  of  my  heart 
being  that  I  could  get  more  souls  saved  on  the  rough  and 
ready  lines  I  was  then  following  out  than  on  any  other 
that  I  could  hope  at  that  time  to  be  able  to  reach. 

A  year  after,  however,  I  was  hooked  into  the  ordinary 
rut  and  put  on  the  sermon-making  and  preaching,  and  at 
nineteen  I  was  pressed  to  prepare  for  the  regular  minis- 
try. 1  again  pleaded  for  delay,  this  time  on  account  of 
my  health,  which  was  not  very  good  and  the  subject  was 
j)ostponed  for  another  year. 

Then  changes  came,  I  removed  from  Nottingham  to 
London  ;  a  violent  controversy  arose  in  the  Wesleyan  So- 
ciety, through  which  I  was  separated  from  it,  although  I 
took  no  part  in  the  strife,  and  it  was  near  upon  three  years 
l)efore  I  left  business  to  devote  my  every  moment  and 
energy  to  the  work  of  proclaiming  Salvation. 

After  six  months  in  London  I  spent  a  little  over  a  year 
in  Spalding,  Lincolnshire,  and  the  villages  around,  where 
I  dearly  loved  the  people  and  saw  many  saved.  I  then 
retunivHl  to  London  again  where  I  came  to  study  prepara- 
tory to  becoming  a  minister  ia  the  Methodist  New  Con- 
nexion. But  my  studies  wore  very  much  broken  in  upon 
and  sadly  interrupted  by  the  more  practical  business  of 
saving  souls. 

It  was  about  this  time  I  made  my  first  acquaintance 
with  the  east  of  London,  being  appointed  to  preach  at  the 
little  chapel.  God  spoke  through  me  and  before  the 
meeting  closed  very  unusual  results  to  that  congregation 
followed,  souls  <;ried  for  mercy.  Other  meetings  were 
held,  and  more  conversions.  This  happened  wherever  I 
wont,  and  it  was  soon  noised  abroad  throughout  the  Con- 
nexion of  which  I  had  so  recently  become  a  minister.  It 
was  remarked  upon  in  the  magazine,  and  greatly  wonder- 
ed at. 


351 


A  visit  to  Guernsey  of  a  fortnig'at's  duration  followed, 
where  several  hundred  persons  were  awakened,  and  then 
came  a  pressing  call  to  Staffordshire  Potteries.  This  was 
altogether  contrary  to  my  wishes,  and  I  positively  (leclin- 
ed  it.  I  Tvanted  to  settle  down  to  my  Circuit  and  pastor- 
ial  duties,  and  all  the  student  business  which  is  thought 
so  essential  to  ministerial  work;  but  it  was  decided  by  the 
authorities  that  I  should  go  to  Staffordshire.  Perhaps  an 
authority  higher  than  theirs  was  determined  tliere  slioiild 
be  no  settling  down  for  me.  It  seemed  so  then  as  it  has 
done  ever  since. 

While  in  Staffordshire,  Longton,  Hanley,  Burslenj,  New- 
castle-under-Lyme,  Fenton  and  Stoke  were  visited  in  turn. 
Seven  Areeks  in  all  were  spent  in  these  places,  during 
which  time  the  names  and  addresses  of  1,700  persons  were 
registered  as  finding  Salvation.  This  news  tlew  through 
the  community  with  rapidity,  and  the  managing  committee 
of  the  Connexion  arranged  for  my  being  relieved  from  my 
circuit  duties  in  London,  very  much  to  the  disappointment 
of  the  people  there,  and  set  apart  to  the  work  of  an  Evan- 
gelist for  the  entire  Connexion. 

During  the  rest  of  the  year,  Bradford,  Oldham,  Mossley, 
Gateshead  and  Manchester  were  visited.  Then  came  the 
Conference  which  formally  approved  my  aiipomtment  and 
renewed  it  for  the  following  year. 

Another  event  happened  about  this  time — T  was  mar- 
ried. Three  years  before — On  the  same  day  1  left  business 
for  the  ministry,  I  met  the  one  whom  I  have  had  the  priv- 
ilege since  to  call  my  wife,  and  we  were  one  in  heart,  soul, 
and  puruose  from  that  verj-  night.  There  may  be  unions 
as  tbciough  and  perfect  as  ours  has  been  ;  but  not  very 
many,  so  far  as  my  observation  has  gone.  I  had  foi'ined 
an  idea  of  what  1  wanted  in  a  wife,  and  resolved  to  wait 
until  I  found  a  woman  who,  in  some  manner  at  least,  would 
answer  to  it.  It  began  with  devotion  to  God  and  right- 
eousness and  sonl-saving,  and  went  on  to  othei-  qualities, 
moral,  social  and  intellectual.  Although  in  my  ftincy  1 
had  formed  this  ideal,  I  never  could  have  expected  to  find 
11  being  who  so  nearly  answered  to  it  as  I  did  in  the  wo- 
man who  then  linked  her  fate  with  mine,  and  who  has  ever 


s  V. 


352 


'ill 


'I 


siuce  been  my  comrade  in  the  fight.  How  she  has  helped 
me  as  companion,  friend,  counsellor,  and,  not  least,  as  the 
mother  of  our  children,  I  pause  not  here  to  attempt  to  de- 
scribe. It  maj  be  said  that  the  world  knows  all  about  us,^ 
seeing  that  her  life  has  been  almost  as  public  as  my  own. 
I  may  say,  however,  that  if  personally  I  have,  in  the  hands 
of  God,  had  to  do  with  the  origination  af  this  remarkable 
,  movement,  if  I  have  stood  to  it  in  the  relation  of  a  father, 
surely  my  precious  wife  may  be  truly  considered  to  have 
been  its  mother. 

Within  a  few  days  of  our  marriage  I  fulfilled  a  second 
fortnight's  engagement  at  Gurnsey  and  then  a  week  at 
Jersey.  In  both  places  I  preached  in  the  very  halls  thai 
the  Salvation  Army  now  occupy  as  barracks.  Then  right 
away  to  York,  leaving  my  wife  who  was  sick  in  London  on 
the  way.  Then  followed  Hull,  Sheffield,  Dewsbury,  Huns- 
let,  Leeds  and  Halifax.  At  these  places  between  three 
and  four  thousands  professed  to  find  salvation.  Some  of 
these  became  ministers,  many  emigrated  to  distant  lands, 
others  became  backbone  members  of  the  different  socie- 
ties, whilst  others  died  and  went  triumphantly  to  Heaven. 

At  Halifax  the  Chief- ot- Staff  was  born.  We  were  booked 
for  Chester,  but  had  to  remain  in  Halifax  for  his  conven- 
ience, advantage  being  taken  of  this  interruption  of  our 
arrangements  to  give  three  weeks'  services  to  another 
chapel  in  another  part  of  the  town. 

Macclesfield,  Yarmouth,  Shelltield  (second  visit),  and 
Birmingham  were  then  visited,  and  then  Nottingham,  my 
native  town,  where  we  had  between  six  and  seven  hun- 
dred converts  in  six  weeks.  Then  came  Chester,  Bristol, 
Truro  and  Stafford.  At  the  latter  place  we  had  just 
got  to  work  with  the  blessed  promise  of  a  wonderful 
awakening  when  the  conference,  which  conducted  the  af- 
fairs of  tlie  Connexion,  for  various  reasons,  or  rather  on 
sundry  excuses,  relating  to  church  order,  by  a  narrow  ma- 
jority, decided  that  I  should  return  to  regular  i)ast,oral 
work  This  was  a  heav^'  blow  to  me  and  very  much 
against  my  judgment.  But  I  bowed  to  authority  and  spent 
one  year  in  the  Hahfax  and  three  years  in  the  Gateshead 
circuits.     When  the  time  had  arrived  that  I  must  leave 


and 


353 


the  Gateshead  people,  three  years  being  the  limit  of  min- 
isterial stay  in  the  Methodist  Connexion,  the  officers  sent 
in  a  memorial  urging  my  re-appointment  to  the  Evangelis- 
tic work. 

This  was  refused,  whereupon  I  resigned  my  position  in 
that  body  nnd  went  out,  from  home  and  salary,  with  a  del- 
icate wife  and  four  little  children  under  five  years  of  age, 
leaving  almost  every  friend  I  had  behind  me,  in  order  that 
I  might  have  the  opportunity  of  filling  the  sphere  in  which 
I  thought  I  could  best  serve  God  and  save  the  largest 
number  of  souls.  This  was  my  first  step  back  again  tow- 
ards the  simple  plan  of  labor  commenced  at  Nottiiigham 
fifteen  years  before. 

I  need  not  say  that  in  this  new  departure  my  wife  was 
one  with  me.  Twelve  months  before  God  had  opened  her 
lips  to  speak  in  public,  thus  qualifying  her  to  become  my 
helpmate  more  fully  than  ever  before. 

The  first  door  opened  for  us  after  this  resignation  was 
at  Hayle,  in  Cornwall.  The  invitat'on  came  from  a  young 
minister  who  was  one  of  my  sons  in  the  Gospel.  My  wife 
accompanied  me.  It  was  an  anxious  time.  All  who  knew 
us  had  predicted  that  we  were  going  straight  to  ruin.  For 
four  and  a  half  years  I  had  bowed  to  the  judgment  of  men, 
or  rather  to  a  traditional  system  which  had  stood  between 
me  and  the  people.  Now  the  barriers  were  passed.  I  had 
paid  the  price.  All  the  associations  and  friends  of  my  life 
up  to  that  hour  had  forsaken  me,  but  I  was  free  to  carry 
out  my  convictions.  True,  the  scale  on  which  the  experi- 
ment was  to  be  tried  was,  at  the  onset,  not  a  very  exten- 
sive one.  We  had  only  a  small  chapel,  with  a  mere  hand- 
ful of  members,  of  little  influence  and  power  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. But  we  were  both  full  of  confidence  in  God^ 
and  had  no  fear  for  the  result. 

It  was  done  unto  us  according  to  our  faith.  From  the 
very  first  morning  in  that  little  old  chapel  God  was  with 
us,  and  before  three  days  had  passed  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable—  perhaps  the  most  remarkable  —  awakening, 
measured  by  permanent  results,  commenced  that  the  west 
of  Cornwall  had  ever  known.  From  Hayle  we  passed  on 
to  St.  Ives,  then  Lelant,  and  afterwards  to  St.  Just.     At 


r 

I) , ; 


in 


m 


m 

I  (■  :-  f) 


Si 


EiH' 


;  ii 


i  i' 


354 


these  four  places  I  believe  between  three  and  four  thou- 
sand persons  professcHl  salvation. 

The  Weslyean  Conference  was  held  that  year  in  Corn- 
wail.  We  had  already  bad  .some  remarkable  successes  in 
their  chapels.  With  no  people  had  we  more  remarkable 
meetings,  and  there  really  seemed  a  probability  of  our  be- 
ing once  more  absorbed  into  the  parent  Methodist  body, 
in  connection  with  which  we  were  both  first  saved  and  as- 
sociated. 

But  no;  our  course  out  of  the  churches  and  downwards 
to  the  masses  must  be  continued,  and  had  tbis  idea  been 
carried  out  the  probabilities  are  that  such  a  purpose  would 
have  been  arrested.  That  Conference  passed  a  resolution 
closing  the  chapels  a<;ainst  us.  Evangelistic  movements 
being  unfavorable  to  chnrdi  order  was  again  the  plea; 
therefore  they  must  not  be  allowed.  Consequently  that 
door  was  effectually  cK/sed.  It  has  been  opened  again  to 
others,  and  evangeii8ti(t  work  is  now  a  regular  histitution 
of  that  body.  But  our  track  lay  plainly  away  from  the 
churches,  and  we  went  on  in  it  with  much  dissatisfaction 
and  many  quiet  complainings,  it  may  be,  as  to  what  ap- 
peared to  us  the  strange  ways  of  Providence. 


There  were  other  churches 


glad 


to  receive  us,  and  at 


Penzance,  Mousehole,  lledruth  and  Camborne  many  were 
saved.  At  Redruth  alone  during  seven  weeks'  work  it 
was  calculated  that  several  thousand  people  were  con- 
veted. 

And  now,  another  step  downwards,  and  outwards,  was 
prepared  for  us.  We  were  very  pressingly  invited  to  Car- 
diff.. This  time  it  was  not  to  a  chapel,  nor  even  to  a  re- 
spectable hall,  but  to  a  large  wooden  circus.  Undenom- 
inational work  w^as  just  then  coming  into  fashion.  The 
theory  was,  save  the  i)eople  outside  the  churches,  and  then 
send  them  to  the  churches  to  be  trained  and  cared  for. 
We  were  wanted  to  help  carry  this  programme  out  in  Car- 
diff. It  was  certainly  another  advance  towards  the  Not- 
tingham starting  i)oint. 

From  Cardiff  we  went  to  Walsall,  where  another  gUiupse 
was  gained  of  what  war  to  be  in  the  future.  Some 
Methodists  had  built  a  big  chapel,  and  were  unable  to  ob- 


35<) 


lain  a  congregation.  They  invited  us  to  help  them.  But, 
:ala8,  none  of  our  inside  attractions  charmed  the  people. 
The  respectable  portion  of  the  community  were  too  proud 
to  enter,  and  the  lower  orders  were  as  positively  opposed 
to  anything  of  the  kind  as  they  could  be.  I  went  to  work 
to  try  and  make  them  come.  The  fight  was  a  desperate 
one.  Night  after  night  I  spoke  to  large  crowds  in  the 
Market  Square,  processioning  through  the  darkest  and 
vblackest  slums  to  the  chapel  into  which  very  few  would 
enter.     So  far  as  the  door  they  came,  and  no  fartJier. 

It  was  then  I  devised  a  special  kind  of  meeting,  out  of 
which  grew  a  most  remarkable  movement  which  went 
afterwards  by  the  name  of  ''The  Ilellelujah  Band."  To 
attract  the  people  we  invited  all  the  celebrities  we  knew 
from  Xottingham,  Derby,  Birmingham,  and  around  about. 

These  men  had  been  remarkable  in  wickedness,  but  who, 
we  had  reason  to  believe,  were  now  serving  God.  There 
was  a  poacher,  a  couple  of  prize  fighters,  a  Birmingham 
Jail-bird,  and  others  of  the  same  class.  Tliese  celebrities 
were  advertised  not  as  the  respectable  and  reigious  people 
they  were  then,  but  by  the  chara<'ter8  they  had  before 
their  conversion.  We  had  a  morning  march  ;  wagons  in 
the  hollows  of  broken  fields,  and  meetings  all  day.  We 
had  great  crowds  of  people,  and  souls  saved. 

The  men  brought  together  that  day  for  the  first  time, 
worked  together  for  months  afterwards  with  others 
through  the  Black  Country  and  the  surrounding  districts. 
They  attracted  thousands  of  people  in  every  direction. 
Many  of  the  most  notorious  characters  in  the  (listrict  were 
converted,  and,  while  it  Jasted,  it  was,  beyond  (luestion,  a 
most  wonderful  religious  movement.  In  course  of  time, 
however,  tlie  leaders  disagreed.  Divisions  crept  in. 
There  being  no  acknowledged  authority,  all  did  pretty 
much  what  wns  rigut  in  their  own  eyes.  There  w:ks  no 
distinctive  teachinj:  beyond  that  of  conversion,  and  the 
work  gradually  died  out,  or,  at  best,  left  only  the  monu- 
ment of  a  few  half-and-half  Methodist  Societies  behind. 

But  the  remarkable  influence  and  effect  it  produced, 
while  it  lasted,  upon  the  worst  and  poorest  classes  of  the 
^community,  made  a  great  impression  upon  my  mind,  audi 


356 


never  ceased  to  wonder  whether  such  a  work  could  not 
be  so  originated  and  guided  as  to  make  it  a  powerful 
force  for  effectually  dealing  with  the  vast  continent  of 
rampant  wickedness  that  I  saw  around  me  everywhere. 

However,  we  went  on.  Birmingham  was  the  next  town, 
where  I  held  a  short  series  of  meetings,  visiting  some  of 
the  small  towns  around.  Then  came  a  sort  of  settling- 
down,  and  Leeds  was  chosen  as  a  permanent  residence. 
Here  we  had  what  may  be  called  our  first  home  since 
leaving  Gateshead,  having  only  lived  in  apartments  and 
furnished  houses  a  few  weeks  at  a  time,  until  then.  At 
Leeds  our  sixth  child  was  born,  and  it  seemed  a  necessity 
that  the  migratory  form  of  existence  followed  during  the- 
last  three  years  should  be  curtailed  if  not  abandoned. 

Our  stay  in  Leeds  lasted  about  six  months,  during  which 
ti.iic  we  had  a  hard  fight  with  the  enemy  in  various  forms. 
In  chapels,  in  halls,  in  the  denominations  and  out  of  the 
denominations.  In  the  market  place,  amidst  oaths  and 
blasphemies,  and  peltings  and  mobbings  with  skeletons, 
who  did  not  bear  the  name,  but  who,  nevertheless,  acted 
after  their  fashion,  we  struggled  hard  for  souls  and  won  a 
goodly  number. 

From  Leeds  we  went  to  London.  Y'or  a  long  time  the 
great  city  had  attracted  us.  My  dear  wife  had  always  ob- 
jected to  lea  dug  her  children  for  public  work ;  and  in 
London,  we  argued,  she  would  find  a  sphere  which  would 
allow  of  her  getting  home  the  same  evening,  or,  at  most., 
would  not  keep  her  away  very  long  together.  To  London, 
therefore,  in  1864,  we  came,  securing  a  ^ome  at 
Hammersmith. 

About  this  time,  there  was  a  considerable  awakening  of 
the  public  mind  with  respect  to  religion,  with  a  great  deal 
of  open-air  and  theater  preaching.  Among  other  efforisa 
a  large  tent  had  been  erected  ..  disused  burial  ground 
belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  in  Baker's  Eow, 
Whitechapel.  In  this  tent  meetings  were  being  held 
every  night,  and  to  conduct  them  I  was  mvited  for  a 
fortnight. 

Here  was  the  open  door  for  which  I  had  longed  for 
years,  and  yet  I  knew  it  not,  and,  moreover,  was  unwill- 


357 


Pn 


ing  to  enter  it.  The  main  reason  for  this  was  that  I  feared 
my  ability  to  deal  with  people  of  this  class ;  I  had  made 
several  efforts,  but  apparently  failed,  and  the  thought 
saddened  and  oppressed  me  beyond  measure.  I  would 
have  given  worlds,  had  they  been  mine,  to  have  been 
qualified  to  attract  and  interest  and  lead  to  salvation  the 
raassew  I  saw  around  me,  as  completely  outside  the  Chris- 
tian circle  as  the  untaught  heathen  of  foreign  lands — but 
I  despaired  of  accomplishing  it.  This,  I  thought,  was  not 
my  vocation.  I  had  forgotten  Nottingham  Meadow  Platts 
rand  the  work  in  it  when  a  boy  of  sixteen,  twenty  years 
before. 

However,  as  was  my  usage,  no  squeamish  difficulties 
were  allowed  to  interefere  with  duty.  I  accepted  the  in- 
vitation, and  the  hour  and  day  found  me  at  my  i)08t. 

On  the  Mile  End  Waste  the  first  open-air  meeting  was 
held,  from  whence  we  processioned  to  the  tent.  From 
the  first  the  meetings  were  fairly  good ;  we  had  souls  at 
almost  every  service,  and  before  the  fortnight  had  passed 
I  felt  at  home,  and  more  than  this  I  found  my  heart  being 
strongly  and  strangely  drawn  out  on  behalf  of  the  million 
people  living  within  a  mile  of  the  tent — ninety  out  of  every 
bundled  of  whom,  they  told  me,  never  heard  the  sound  of 
the  preacher's  voice,  from  year  to  year.  "Here  is  a 
sphere,"  was  being  whispered  continually  in  my  inward 
ear  by  an  inward  voice.  "Why  go  farther  afield  for 
audiences?"  And  so  the  church  and  chapel  congregation 
somehow  or  other  lost  their  charm  in  comparison  with 
the  vulgar  East-enders,  and  I  was  continually  haunted  with 
a  desire  to  offer  myself  to  Jesus  Christ  as  an  apostle  for 
the  heathen  of  East  London.  The  idea  or  heavenly  vision 
or  whatever  you  may  call  it,  overcame  me,  I  yielded  to  it, 
and  what  has  happened  since  is,  I  think  not  only  a  justifi- 
cation but  an  evidence  that  my  offer  was  accepted. 

The  difficulties  that  beset  us  at  the  onset  were  many. 
To  begin  with,  on  the  third  or  fourth  Sunday  morning  wo 
found  the  tent  lying  on  the  ground  rent  in  pieces.  It  had 
been  a  stormy  night,  and,  among  other  things  the  rough 
wind  had  finished,  was  our  tabernacle,  and  what  made 
things  worse  was,  it  was  too  rotten  to  be  mended  or  put 


i]i 


ii' 


358 


together  again.    That  Sunday  we  had  to  fall  back  upon? 
our  Cathedral — the  open  air. 

After  a  long  Bearch  an  old  dancing  room  was  secured 
for  Sabbath  meetings.  They  dance  in  it  until  the  small 
hours  of  the  Sunday  morning — and  our  converts  had  to 
carry  in  a  lix  up  at  4  a.  m.  Our  seats  which  fortunately 
had  not  been  blown  away  when  the  tent  was  destroyed. 
It  was  a  long  narrow  place  holding  about  six  hundred 
people.  The  proprietor  combined  the  "two  professions  of 
dancing  master  and  photographer — the  latter  being  pushed 
especially  on  Sunday.  In  the  front  room,  by  which  all  the 
congregation  had  to  pass  from  the  oi)en  street,  sat  the 
mistress  coloring  photographs,  whilst  someone  at  the 
doors  shouted  for  business.  The  photographing  was  done 
at  the  top  of  the  house,  and  customers  had  to  pass  on 
their  way  up,  by  a  sort  of  parlor  that  was  open  to  our 
Hall,  and  it  was  a  regular  thing  for  them  to  pause  and 
listen  to  the  message  of  Salvation  as  they  walked  up  to 
their  Sabbath-breaking  business. 

When  we  saw  them  on  such  occasions  we  contrived  to 
give  them  something  warm. 

We  had  wonderful  meetings  in  that  room  and  in  connec- 
tion with  it  I  put  in  many  a  hard  Sunday's  work,  regularly 
giving  three  and  sometimes  four  open-air  addresses,  lead- 
ing three  processions  and  doing  t'jree  indoor  meetings  the 
bulk  of  the  labor  of  all  of  which  told  on  me.  But  the 
power  and  the  happiness  of  the  work  carried  me  along 
and  in  that  room  the  foundation  was  really  laid  of  all  that 
has  come  since. 

Meanwhile,  however,  we  had  no  place  for  our  week- 
night  meetings  except  the  open  air  on  the  Mile  End  Waste, 
and  here  we  carried  till  nine  and  after,  then  inviting  those 
who  were  anxious  to  remain  and  seek  salvation  on  the 
spot  on  which  they  stood. 

Our^  first  week-night  place  after  the  tent  was  an  old 
low  wool  warehouse,  the  windows  of  which  unfortunately 
opened  on  the  street.  When  crowded,  which  was  ordi- 
narily the  case,  it  was  frightfully  hot,  especially  in  summer^ 
If  we  opened  the  windows  the  boys  threw  stones  and 
mud  and  fireworks  through,  and  fired  trains  of  gunpowder 


359 


m 


laid  from  the  front  door  inwards.  But  our  people  got 
used  to  this,  shouting  Ilellelujah  when  the  crackers  ex- 
ploded and  the  powder  tlashed  ;  but  it  doubtless  frightened 
and  kei)t  away  a  good  many  folks.  Still  many  a  poor 
dark  soul  found  Jesus  there  and  became  a  good  warrior 
afterwards. 

Then  there  was  an  old  chapel  called  "Holywell  Mount" 
— a  tine  place  it  seemed,  after  the  wretched  holes  and  cor- 
ners to  which  we  had  been  accustomed — still  it  never 
seemed  to  answer  our  purpose;  some  of  our  folks  thought 
it  was  just  because  it  was  a  "ciinpel." 

Then  we  had  a  stable  up  a  court  loading  off  the  White- 
chapel  road.  We  had  it  cleaiied  and  whitewashed,  and 
titted  up,  and  from  its  situation  we  were  full  of  hope  of 
seeing  a  lot  done  in  it.  But,alas  I  "we  counted  our  chickens 
before  they  were  hatched,"  as  others  have  done  before  us. 
After  the  first  meeting  or  two,  we  were  .summarily  ejected, 
the  room  next  to  us  being  occupied  l)y  a  gymnastic  and 
sparring  club  ;  and  our  exercises  disturbed  theirs.  They 
were  old  tenants,  and  their  work  being  more  in  sympathy 
with  tlic  publican,  to  whom  the  place  belongetl,  tUerc  was 
nothing  for  us  but  to  go. 

From  the  beginning  we  were  always  picking  up  people 
in  the  roads  from  all  parts  of  London — nay,  from  almost 
every  corner  of  the  globe,  as  they  travelled  about  for 
business  or  pleasure —  and  taking  them  with  us  to  our 
Halls,  and  getting  them  saved.  Many  of  the  liondoners 
came  begging  us  to  begin  services  in  their  neighborhoods, 
and  so  we  went  to  Old  Ford,  to  a  carpenter's  shop — to 
Poplar,  to  a  wooden  shed,  between  which  and  some  stables 
and  pig-styes  there  was  onl^-  a  wooden  partitioii,  through 
the  open  cracks  of  which  a  sten(^h  oozed,  enough  to  poison 
us  all,  and  it  was  a  wonder  it  did  not. 

Then  we  went  to  a  penny  ijaff  at  Limcliouso,  buying  out 
the  trumpery  scenery,  footlights  and  ;;ll.  We  went  to  a 
covered  skittle  alley  in  Whitechapol,  where  they  bowled 
and  gambled,  and  drank  and  swore,  on  a  weei-i-day.  A 
temporary  platform  was  constructed  over  the  square  upon 
which  the  pins  stood,  and  on  that  platform  or  in  front  of 


360 


it,  I  have  seen  as  many  as  twenty  people  at  once  kneeling 
and  weeping  as  they  sought  salvation. 

Then  came  a  larger  venture — the  "Eastern  Star," — a  low 
beerhouse,  notorious  for  immorality  and  other  vices — was 
burned  down,  and  afterwards  rebuilt.  We  bought  the 
lease,  and  fitted  it  up.  In  the  front  was  our  first  book- 
store ;  at  the  back  a  good  Hall,  and  rooms  for  classes  and 
smaller  meetings  up-stairs. 

Then  came  the  old  Efltingham  theater,  on  the  stage  of 
which  there  regularly  mounted  fortj',  fifty  and  six'.y  sin- 
ners on  a  Sunday  night  seeking  mercy.  In  this  dirty  the- 
ater— at  that  time,  perhaps,  one  of  the  lowest  in  London 
— we  were  fairly  introduced  to  the  public,  and  from  that 
day  the  work  Avent  forward  with  increased  rapidity. 

During  this  time  my  wife  was  engaged  in  holding  meet- 
ings, of  three  months  at  a  stret(;h,  in  some  of  the  largest 
halls  around  London,  and  in  various  places  within  easy 
distance^  some  of  which  resulted,  in  addition  to  making 
friends  for  the  East-End  work,  in  the  formation  of  perma- 
nent missions,  of  the  same  character  as  those  established 
in  the  East  of  London. 

All  this  time  we  had  no  regular  definite  jilans  for  the 
future.  From  the  first  I  was  strongly  opposed  to  forming 
any  separate  organization.  It  is  true  that  again  and  again 
the  thought  did  come  to  me  as  to  what  could  be  accom- 
plished for  God  and  man  by  a  i)eople  who  were  all  actuat- 
ed by  one  simple  purpose,  and  that  the  inunediate  salva- 
tion of  the  masses,  and  the  entire  devotion  of  those  thus 
saved,  to  the  Avork  of  saving  their  fellows.  The  chief  sor- 
row to  me  in  connection  with  the  sects  in  the  past,  had 
ever  been  their  divisions  on  the  subject  of  practical  God- 
liness and  immediate  results,  but  I  constantly  put  from  me 
the  thought  of  attempting  the  formation  of  such  a  people. 

My  idea  was  simply  to  get  the  people  saved  and  send  them 
to  the  churches.     This  proved  at  the  outset  impracticable. 
1st.  They  would  not  go  when  sent. 
2nd.  They  w^ere  not  wanted. 
And  3rd.  We  wanted  some  of  them  at 
least  ourselves  to  help  us  in  the 
business  of  saving  others. 


361 


We  were  driven  to  providing  for  tlie  converts^ our- 
•  selves. 

As  the  movement  grow  we  thought  it  might  be  our 
work  to  consti:  tc  a  mammoth  workingmen's  society  just 
there  in  the  east  end,  and  with  smaller  branches  all 
around. 

But  as  we  spread  from  one  part  of  London  to  another, 
and  then  to  the  provinces,  we  came  to  accept  our  mission 
to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  and  to  ni  range  a<'- 
cordingly. 

Further  particulars  respecting  this  going  forth  will  be 
found  in  this  volume,  but  all  our  methods,  and  agencies, 
and  successes,  and  organization  have,  we  tliink,  grown  out 
of  four  simple  principles  with  which  I  believe  my  heart 
was  inspired  in  the  earliest  days  of  my  spiritual  life. 

(1.)  Going  to  the  people  with  the  message  of  Salvation. — Out 
of  this  has  grown  all  our  varied  open-air  operations,  pro- 
cessions, bands,  colors,  reviews,  and  the  like. 

(2.)  Attracting  the  people. — This  has  originated  the  varied 
placards  and  all  other  attractive  announcements. 

(3.)  Saving  the pecple. — Hence  the  services  for  conversion, 
for  holiness,  tor  consecration,  for  fiery  baptisms  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  for  heavenly  enjoyment. 

(4.)  Our  employment  of  the  people. — Out  of  which  has  grown 
our  varied  classes  of  oflQcers,  opi)ortunitie8  for  testimony, 
and  the  open  door  and  continued  encouragement  to  every 
man,  and  every  woman,  and  every  child,  to  use  and  exer- 
cise whatever  gifts  they  may  have  re(;eived  from  God  for 
assisting  Ilim  in  subduing  and  \\  inning  this  rebellious 
world  to  Himself. 

The  objections  which  are  brought  against  the  "Army,"' 
usually  originate  from  the  fact  that  there  is  so  little  known 
of  their  real  value,  and  the  American  people  are  in  that, 
as  well  as  in  other  respects,  hasty  in  their  conclusions. 

A  copy  taken  from  "Orders  and  Regulations  for  Field 
Officers"  will  throw  st>me  light  upon  the  systematic  man- 


*      I 

m 


'M 


362 


ner  with  which  the  ir ork  is  done,  and  not  in  the  unaysteni- 
atic  way,  many  suppose. 

The  International  Training  Homos. 

1.  "The  object  of  these  institutions  is  to  prepare  those 
soldiers  for  flehl  officers  wlio  have  proved  the  possession 
of  qualifications  foi-  the  position. 

2.  The  kind  of  men  and  women  wanted  for  the  Training: 
Homes  will  be  described  later. 

3.  The  candidate,  on  entering  the  Training  Home,  re- 
ceives the  title  of  Cadet. 

4.  The  International  Training  Homes  at  Clapton  consist 
of  two  wings,  one  occupied  by  men  and  the  other  by  wo- 
men, and  each  is  under  the  command  of  a  Principal  and 
Yice-rrincipal,  supported  by  a  staff"  of  other  officers. 

5.  The  principal  benclits  sought  to  be  bestowed  upon 
Cadets  wbile  in  the  Homes  are — 

(a)  To  sift  them,  and  find  out  as  far  as  possible  who  are 
actuated  by  right  motives  in  seeking  to  become  officers. 

(b)  To  teach  liabits  of  cleanliness,  regularity,  and  obedi- 
ence. 

(c)  To  give  instruction  in  Army  principles,  practice,  and 
doctrines. 

{ri)  To  train  in  the  conduct  of  open-air  and  indoor  meet- 
ings, house-to-house  visitation,  selling  "War  Cry's"  bom- 
bardments, and  other  methods  of  warfare. 


C63 

(  )  To  strengthen  and  develop  tlie  spirit  of  love  to  God 
and  devotion  to  the  War;  in  other  words,  to  make  them 
willing  to  live  or  die  in  extending  the  Kingdom  of  God  as 
the  War  may  need. 

6.  These  Homes  necessarily  requiring  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  for  their  support,  every  F.  O.*  should  feel 
his  responsibility  for  helping  to  obtain  funds  for  this  pur- 


pose 


j> 


This  he  may  do  by  earnestly  seconding  the  appeals  made 
to  his  Corps,  obtaining  donations  from  Soldiers  and  out- 
side friends,  or  by  collecting  himself  an  annual  sum  in 
small  amounts,  and  sending  or  taking  it  to  the  Anniversary 
of  the  Institution. 

In  choosing  officers  the  author  tells  whom  not  to  rec- 
ommend. 

1.  "Don't  recommend  delicate  people — those  who  have  a 
cough,  or  weak  heart;  who  are  continually  complaining  of 
a  bad  throat;  who  cannot  stand  fatigue;  who  are  always 
taking  care  of  themselves  or  requiring  some  one  else  to 
take  care  of  them.  Such  are  certain  to  break  down  as 
Officers,  just  because  they  are  equally  sure  to  break  down 
in  any  other  position. 

2.'  Don't  recommend  any  who  are  burdened  with  a  sense  of 
their  gentility.    The   first  business  of  people   who   pride 

*F.  O— Field  Otacer. 


364      ^ 

themselves  in  their  clothes  or  i'^  g'entility  of  any  kind  is  to 
get  delivered  from  such  snobbishness. 

4.  Dont  recommend  people  who  cannot  get  on  in  their  own 
trade — inferior  workmen  who  cannot  k^ep  a  situation,  or 
ser\ants  who  do  not  stand  well  with  their  employers. 
There  may  be  exceptions,  however,,  to  this  rule.  The  rea- 
son why  some  people  do  not  succeed  in  business,  or  please 
mnsters  or  mistresses  nmy  be  creditable  to  them  rather 
than  otlierwise. 

The  F.  O.,  however,  will  be  always  quite  safe,  who  re- 
fuses to  recommend  a  soldier  who  does  not  like  to  work 
or  who  is  seeking  an  easier  job. 

5.  Don't  recommend  gossips  o^  scandal  mongers — busy 
bodies  in  other  peoples  affairs,  who  know  everyone's  bus- 
iness but  their  own. 

().  Don't  recommend  any  men  engaged  to  girls  who  are  not 
soldiers  or  women  not  suitable  for  ofticers'  wives,  or  to 
such  as  would  be  above  their  position  or  not  likely  to  eur 
brace  the  hardships  of  an  oflficer,s  life  with  all  their  hearts. 

7.  Don't  recommend  young  women  who  are  engaged  at  alV 
except  such  engagements  be  with  those  who  are  otficers 
already,  or  soldiers  who  are  candidates. 

The  army  cannot  afford  time  and  money  to  train  female 
officers,  who,  before  tliey  have  got  well  into  the  held  or 
learnea  their  work  ;  simply  announce  that  the  person  to 


365^ 

■whom  tbey  are  engaged  is  anxious  to  get  married  and  will 
not  wait. 

Don't  recommend  any  who  are  eager  to  knoio  how  much  the 
salary  is,  or  how  the  work  will  agree  with  their  health ; 
what  the  hours  will  be,  or  where  they  will  be  likely  to  be 
appointed. 

Don't  recommend  any  who  are  not  willing  to  begin  at  the 
bottom  of  the  ladder  on  the  same  principle  r.s  other  officers. 

JO.  Don't  recommend  married  men  whose  wives  are  not 
anxious  for  their  husbands  to  become  officers,  or  whose 
wives  are  not  clean  and  tidy  in  their  habits,  or  who  do  not 
keep  their  children  in  order,  or  who  are  not  liivcly  to  be 
able  to  make  an  officer's  quarters  v/hat  they  should  be. 

11.  Don't  recommend  married  men  whooe  wives  are  gos- 
sips. 

12.  Don't  recommend  candidates  who  do  not  of  their  own 
choice  wear  uniforms,  unless  tbey  are  j)revented  in  some  ex- 
traordinary manner.  Those  soldiern  who  are  not  eager  to 
confess  themselves  as  belonging  to  The  Army  are  not  like- 
ly to  be  of  much  u(?e  as  leaders  of  it. 

13.  Don't  recommend  anyone  outside  the  Army  who  will  not 
come  into  it  except  on  the  understanding  that  they  are  to  be 
made  officers. 

The  preference  of  a  person  for  The  Army  should  be  al- 
together irrespective  of  the  position  he  may  receive   in  it. 


If 


mm 


iS* 


m 


li  I 


I 
i 


!■  r 


36« 

Having  satisfied  himself  that  The  Army  is  of  God  and  be- 
ing more  likely  to  promote  His  glory  and  the  salvation  of 
souls  than  any  other  organization,  an  honest  man  will  have 
no  other  alternative  but  to  join  it  whether  he  has  the  pros- 
pect of  becoming  a  Divisional  Officer  or  a  door-keeper. 
A  person  who  iias  the  opi)ortunity  of  joiiiing  the  Army  as 
a  private  soldier  and  refuses  to  do  so  must  not  be  recom- 
mended as  an  officer. 

14.  Don't  j'ecomniend  anyone  who  has  any  difficulties 
aboid  Hell  or  the  existence  of  a  real  devil  or  the  insjwrartion 
of  the  Kible  or  the  possibility  of  God's  saving  men  to  the 
uttermost,  or  the  Army  usage  with  respect  to  sacraments. 

15.  Don't  recommend  anyone  who  has  doubts  as-  to  the 
wisdom  of  the  Army,  form  of  government,  or  the  j)ropriety 
of  the  bands  of  nnisic,  the  uniform,  the  selling  of  the  "War 
Cry"  on  Sundays,  about  excitement,  or  any  of  our  methods 
and  practices.  In  short,  don't  recommend  anyone  whom 
you  ha^  e  not  good  ground  for  believing  will  become  real 
r.lood-and-Fire  Officers,  whose  future  work  will  justify 
yor.r  selection,  be  a  credit  to  the  Army,  and  promote  the 
Salvation  of  Souls,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord.Tesus  Christ. 

Selection. 
1.  The  success  in  this  War,  dei)ending  so  much  as  it  does 
on  the  character  of  our  officers,  makes  it  most  important 
that  the  right  class  of  sr^Uliers  should  be  brought  forward 


367 


and  trained  for  this  position.  And  perhaps  no  responsi- 
bility devolving  on  the  F.  O.,  carries  with  it  much  more 
serious  consequences  than  the  power  he  possesses  of  in- 
fluencing the  riglit  kind  of  Soldiers  to  volunteer  for  this 
work,  and  the  opportunity  he  has  for  helping  them  to 
qualify  themselves  for  it. 

2.  The  F.  O.  must  remember  that  no  amount  of  labor 
and  trainhig  bestowed  upon  the  people  who  are  natnally 
incapable,  will  impart  the  needed  capacity.  Whether, 
therefore,  we  are  to  have  good  officers  or  not,  depends  on 
the  quality  of  the  candidate  ftent  forward,  in  the  lirst  in- 
stance. A  diamond  may  be  cut  and  polish  d  and  set  in 
the  purest  gold,  so  that  its  appeni'avice  is  greatly  improved 
thereby , '-;ut  no  amount  of  cutting  and  polisliing  and 
setting  will  make  a  piece  of  a  glass  into  a  diamond.  The 
F  O.  must  therefore  send  diamonds  to  begin  with.  lie 
can  then  pick  it  out,  and  get  it  set  in. 

Godliness. 

A  candidate  must  be  thoroughly  Godly;  the  more  posi- 
tive and  definite  his  realization  of  +ho  enjoyment  of  his 
Salvation,  the  more  likely  will  lie  be  to  succeed.  This 
supposes : 

A.  A  straightforward  conversion. 

B.  A  clear  assurance  of  the  power  of  God. 

C.  A  clean  heart. 


i  I; 
I 


«...  .| 


368 

D.  The  spirit  of  a  Blood-aixd-Fire  soldier. 

E.  A  good  life,  with  a  truthful  character,  at  home  and . 
ill  his  employment. 

F.  A  soul  flooded  with  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God. 

G.  A  man  or  woman  who  has  such  a  Salvation  as  this 
and  retains  it  in  all  its  fulness,  cannot  very  well  fail  as  an 
officer  in  the  Army." 

To  shorten  the  account,  a  synopsis  will  here  be  given  of 
the  qualifications  desired  in  an  officer.  "Love  for  Souls ; 
Energy  of  character;  Ability  to  talk;  Loyalty  to  the  Army.'^ 


^nd 


369 


Jod. 
this 
3  an 

n  of 

uls  J 


oy 


n 


CHAPTER  XXXIIl. 
Review — Changes  of  Eighty  Years. 

At  the  conclusion  of  thee .  ;.a8e8  it  may  not  be  unprofit- 
able for  us  to  look  bMck  through  the  long  vista  of  this 
eventful  life,  and  see  what  it  has  been  possible  for  tbe 
American  nation  to  accomplish  within  the  remembrance  of 
one  now  living. 

At  the  date  of  the  opening  of  this  narrative,  we  were  un- 
der the  administration  of  its  third  president.  The  entire 
population  of  the  nation  was  but  httle  in  excess  of  that  of 
the  state  of  New  York.  Fulton  was  toiling  in  obscurity 
with  his  crude  steamboat,  and  not  until  four  years  after,  did 
he  succeed  in  eliminating  from  the  problem  of  inland  nav- 
igation, the  elements  that  had  made  it  so  vexing. 

Whitney's  cotton  gin  was  yet  onlj^  an  experiment,  and 
the  great  cotton  industry  of  the  country  was  in  a  state  of 
plastic  incipiency.  The  Federal  compact  consisted  of  but 
seventeen  states. 

Florida  was  a  province  of  Spain,  and  the  great  region 
west  of  the  Mississippi  known  as  Louisiana,  was  being  pur- 
chased of   France — an   empire  out   of   which  we    shall 


m 


m 


!1". 


370 

carve  a  score  of  states  was  purchased  for  the  price  of  a 
cattle  ranch  in  our  stirring  times. 

The  line  of  our  frontier  la;/'  along  the  borders  of  the 
Ohio  and  Lake  Erie,  and  beyond  these  was  but  the  rude 
cabin  of  the  pioneer,  or  the  lodge  and  wigwam  of  the  In- 
dian, the  trapper  and  the  trader.  Cincirmati  was  an  insig- 
nificant village,  and  Chicago  w^as  a  spot  designated  in  a 
treaty  as  a  location  for  a  fort;  but  it  was  fifteen  years  later 
before  it  became  the  abode  of  white  men.  St.  Louis  had 
been  founded  n,?arly  thirty  years  before,  but  was  as  yet  but 
the  home  of  a  few  French  traders  and  Spanish  adven- 
turers. 

Eight  years  later  came  to  the  ears  of  little  Joe  the  start- 
ling announcement  of  a  great  war,  with  all  its  inhuman 
influences  and  blood  curdliiig  incidents.  And  yet  we  are 
amused  when  we  compare  then  and  now.  What  a  slug- 
gish, irresponsive  era  in  which  to  live!  Think  of  "fast 
mail"  making  its  way  at  the  rate  of  ten  railes  an  hour  ! 
And  this,  too,  the  only  channel  through  which  to  receive 
intelligence.  Certainly  one  will  not  grow  very  enthusias- 
tic when  his  inspiration  came  through  so  slow  a  medium 
as  a  stage-coach.  And  yet  when  we  look  back  to  this  pe- 
riod we  can  most  heartily  congratulate  ourselves  that  the 
intelligence  of  the  suspension  of  hostilities  were  so  tardy 
in  reaching  us  that  an  opportunity  was  afforded  us  to  gain 


371 


the  most  brilliant  victory  of  the  war,  and  that  too,  over 
the  finest  army  that  England  had  yet  put  upon  the  conti- 
nent, fresh  from  victorious  fields,  where  they  had  routed 
the  French,  and  flushed  by  the  plaudits  of  all  Europe. 

It  may  be  that  the  lad  of  twelve  years  had  but  a  vague 
idea  of  the  great  and  deep  fountains  from  which  were 
springing  the  turbid  water  of  international  strife;  or  can- 
not comprehend  the  magnitude  of  tlie  struggle  in  which 
the  defenders  of  his  nation's  rights  were  engaged;  but  how 
well  he  can  remember  h(  w  his  young  heart  sunk  in  his 
breast,  as  the  dark  clouds  of  defeat  and  the  forebodings  of 
disaster  overhung  his  country's  flag:  or  how  it  bounded 
with  joy  and  swelled  with  patriotic  gratitude  as  the  glad 
tidings  of  final  victory  came  and  the  mists  of  war  were 
dispelled  by  the  breaking  rays  of  peace. 

Then  came  the  long  interval  of  develcnnent,  in  which 
oar  domestic  affairs  shaped  themselves,  and  we  made 
•those  grand  strides  that  brought  America  to  a  place  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth. 

Among  the  achievements  most  vividly  remembered  was 
the  conSkFuction  of  the  Erie  canal.  This  was  the  first  col- 
ossal enterprise  of  its  character  in  the  country,  and  one 
living  in  that  time  will  remember  how  the  whole  nation 
was  refreshed  and  strengthened  commercially  by  its  ulti- 
mate success. 


m 


fi 


372 


V  H.' 

if' 


t 


ti 


This  great  work  was  commenced  on  the  fourth  of  July^ 
1817,  and  was  finally  completed  in  1825,  although  a  small 
portion  of  it  was  operated  late  in  1819.  Its  entire  length 
is  three  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  and  the  cost  of  construc- 
tion was  over  nine  millions  of  dollars.  This  seemed  like 
an  immense  expenditure  of  money  at  that  time,  but  it  cer- 
tainly proved  to  be  a  very  U'ise  one,  as  the  tolls  for  a  sin- 
gle year  (1833)  considerably  exceeded  one  million  dollars. 

The  author  learns,  from  quite  reliable  authority,  that 
Senator  Wade,  of  Ohio,  since  so  conspicuous  in  American 
politics  as  an  abolitionist,  champion  of  the  homestead  bill, 
president  of  the  Senate,  and  one  of  the  commissioners  to 
San  Domingo,  was  employed  on  this  work,  and  with  a  pick 
and  shovel,  as  a  common  laborer,  displayed  manj'  of  the 
sterling  qualities  that  distinguished  liim  as  a  patriot  and 
statesman  in  his  riper  years.  And  this  is  one  of  the  proud 
attributes  of  our  own  happy  country.  No  man  need  re- 
main long  at  the  "foot  of  the  hill"  if  he  has  in  him  the 
metal  of  which  the  great  and  noble  are  made.  Every  av- 
enue is  open  to  him  who  will  avail  himself  of  them  with  a 
fixed  determination  to  make  the  most  of  every  talent  giv- 
en him. 

Among  tLe  many  pleasant  historical  events  remembered 
by  Mr.  Mooso,  is  the  visit  of  LaFayette  to  this  country,  in 
1824.    The  hearts  of  the  whole  people  were  thrown  open 


)  I 


373 


to  welcome  that  great  patriot,  who  gave  so  timely  aid  in 
the  hour  of  our  young  nations  sorest  trial.  It  has  been 
flaid  that  nations  are  ungrateful,  but,  one  wliose  memory 
goes  back  sixty  years,  will  fail  to  find  a  single  instance 
where  the  American  people  have  not  with  alacrity  paid 
homage  to  every  benefactor  of  his  countrymen. 

At  the  opening  of  our  narrative,  the  Indian  occupied, 
undisputedly,  all  the  territory  west  of  Lake  Michigan  and 
the  Wabash  river,  save  here  and  there  a  small  settlement 
along  some  of  the  larger  streams,  and  these  were  little 
more  than  trading  posts,  and  the  little  circle  of  adventurers 
that  naturally  clung  to  them.  A  few  of  the  smaller  tribes 
in  New  York  and  Michigan,  were  living  in  a  half-civilized 
manner,  and  were  practicing  a  rude  agriculture ;  but  the 
great  mass  of  them  were  in  about  the  same  condition, 
socially  and  politically,  that  they  were  when  the  whites 
iirst  made  homes  upon  the  continent.  After  the  early 
wars  in  New  England,  they  were  not  disposed  to  declare 
open  hostilities  against  the  whites,  but  through  all  the 
early  settlement  of  the  central  states,  they  were  not  to  be 
trusted. 

The  frontier  settlements  were  continually  annoyed  by 
loss  of  cattle  and  petty  stealings,  while  travelers  and 
hunters  were  frequently  waylaid,  and  robbed  or  murder- 
ed.    One  fruitful  source  of  difficulty  with  the  Indians,  has 


iin 


374 

been  the  British  emissaries  on  onr  Canadian  frontier^ 
These  were  continually  urging  the  Indians  to  war  upon 
the  white  settlers,  and  with  the  natural  jealousy  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians,  it  needed  no  great  amount  of  en- 
couragement to  make  them  very  disagreable  neighbors. 

These  continued  aggressions  finally  culminated  (in  1816) 
in  the  union  of  all  the  tribes  of  the  north-west  in  one  con- 
federacy, under  the  famous  chief,  Tecumseh.  They  were 
finally,  completely  beaten  by  Gen.  Harrison,  at  Tippecanoe. 

This  defeat  broke  the  spirit  of  the  leading  chiefs,  and 
there  was  no  further  trouble  of  a  formidable  character, 
until  about  1832;  when  the  Sac  and  Fox  refused  to 
vacate  certain  lands  which  they  had  sold  to  the  govern- 
ment. They  were  ejected  by  the  U.  S.  troops,  aided  by 
the  Illinois  military.  Black  Hawk  was  taken  prisoner  and 
with  his  fall,  the  war  which  bore  his  name,  terminated. 

This  was  the  last  opposition  to  the  advancing  column  of 
civilization,  made  by  the  Indians. 

In  1831:  the  Indian  territory  was  organized  and  the 
government  has  continued  unremittingly  the  task  of  lo- 
cating all  the  tribes  within  its  border.  The  entire  area  is 
74,172  square  miles,  with  a  population  of  78,310,  (a  fraction 
over  one  inhabitant  to  the  square  mile ; )  less  than  one 
third  of  the  Indian  population  of  the  country. 

It  has  been  stated  repeatedly,  and  by  those  entitled  to- 


credence,  that  the  Indian  race  would  soon  be  extinct  in 
Ainerica,  but  from  the  beet  autliorities  we  can  find  we  are 
compelled  to  conclude  that  there  are  fifty  thousand  more 
in  the  United  Stutes  now  than  were  in  the  same  territory 
two  hundred  years  a<;o. 

Yet  it  is  a  fact  tiuit  the  tribes  on  reservations  in  the  ter- 
ritory have  continually  declined.  Contagious  diseasen 
have  made  terrible  havoc  amon^-  them  to  the  extent  that 
even  a  tribe  has  been  almost  obliterated  in  a  single  sea- 
son. 

The  Indian  policy  of  the  government  has  been  severely 
criticised,  both  in  the  east  and  on  the  frontier.  From  one 
quarter  comes  the  cry  for  the  "Poor  Indian,"  and  from 
the  other  the  wail  of  disgust  that  the  government  should 
support  in  idleness,  those  who  might  do  for  themselves. 

One  who  has  spent  many  years  among  the  Indians  can 
have  but  little  sympathy  with  either  of  the  extremes. 
And  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  policj  will  shape  itself  in  a  way 
that  will  bring  the  Indians  into  closer  relations  with  the 
civil  habits  of  the  whites,  and  that  gradually  they  will  lose 
their  relish  for  their  old  manner  of  living,  engage  in  indus- 
trial ])ursuit8  and  in  this  way  by  degrees  become  more 
eelf-reliant  and  tinally  relinquish  their  hold  upon  the  gov- 
ernment entirely. 

The  establishment  of  homes  and  farms  has  already  done 


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much  to  break  up  the  tribal  relations  and  if  properly  en- 
couraged will  in  time  make  home-loving  and  home-build- 
ing people  of  these  roving  bands  of  the  prairie. 

Another  potent  influence  now  at  work  to  change  all  the 
habits  of  life  is  the  school.  No  people  can  come  within 
the  influences  of  properly  managed  schools  without  feel- 
ing their  benefits,  and  our  red  brethren  will  be  no  excep- 
tion. 

This  was  noticeable  to  Mr.  Mooso  in  all  his  intercourse 
with  the  Indiads ;  that  where  they  had  never  been  in  con- 
tact with  missionaries  or  with  civilized  people  that  they 
were  not  nearly  so  ti  actable  as  when  they  had  been  under 
such  influences. 

There  ai'e  now  nearly  two  hundred  schools  in  the  Ter- 
ritory and  they  have  probably  had  in  attendance  not  less 
than  six  thousand  i)upils.  Many  of  the  nations  have  a 
generous  school  fund  that  is  set  apart  and  can  be  used  for 
no  other  purpose.  The  Cherokee  fund  in  l&T.'i  amounted 
to  over  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  besides  a  fund  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  for  an  orphan  fund,  which 
is  used  in  connection  with  a  school  for  orphan  children. 
The  school  fund  of  the  other  tribes  amounts  to  nearly 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

But  even  with  these  agencies  working  to  the  end  of  fi 
nally  solving  this  great  problem  of  the  Indian  question* 


377 

some  radical  evils  must  be  expunged  before  all  the  do- 
mestic  sky  in  this  quarter  will  be  clear. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  influence  of  a  degraded  and  no' 
toriously  vicious  class  of  whites  who  settle  themselves 
among  the  Indians,  and  imbue  them  with  the  lowest  idea 
of  morals,  and  an  aversion  to  the  enforcement  of  law. 

A  second  is  the  dishonesty  and  piratical  management  of 
some  of  the  agents  who  appropriate  to  their  own  use  sup- 
plies furnished  for  the  use  of  the  Indians;  thus  engender- 
ing a  distrust  of  the  government  and  restlessness  and  in- 
subordination. 

A  third,  but  one  which  is  to  some  extent  disappearing 
of  itself,  is  the  Indian's  own  idea  of  his  claims  upon  the 
government.  The  possession  of  boundless  wilderness, 
sparsely  covered  with  animals  that  could  be  used  for  food, 
were  indeed  his  ;  but  a  magnificent  empire  with  unlimited 
resources,  and  all  the  auxiliaries  of  the  most  civilized  and 
enlightened  people  is  an  '.nheritance  upon  which  he  has 
no  claim,  and  for  which  he  deserves  no  compensation. 


'    Few  men  have  lived  through  so  eventful  an  era  as  has 
our  venerable  friend. 

Nearly  two  centuries  before  his  birth  a  baneful  tree  had 
been  planted  at  Jamestown  whose  roots  grew  deep  down 
into  the  soil  of  sordid  gain  and  its  branches  spread  and 


■ 


1 1 


i!; 


378 

flourished  in  the  blaze  of  selfish  ease,  until  within  the  bor- 
der of  fourteen  states,  it  grew  to  such  proportions  that  its 
poisonous  breath  so  inflamed  and  infuriated  both  the  north 
and  the  south,  that  the  clashing  of  arms  during  more  than 
four  years  of  civil  strife,  greeted  the  ears  of  the  people, 
not  of  the  United  States^  but  the  dissevered  and  disunited 
members  of  our  grand  and  great  republic.  And  saddest  of 
all,  rank  treason,  stalked  throughout  the  land  of  the  free 
north,  where  naught  but  loyalty  should  have  been  seen. 
But  tresonable  sentiments  were  uttered,  and  the  memory 
of  the  united  efforts  of  the  American  people  to  gain  inde- 
pendence—years before,  was  lost  sight  of  in  the  fierce,  uu- 
brotherly  civil  strife ;  and  like  VVhitt^'er  we  are  led  to  ex- 
claim : 

"With  t'le  storm  above  us  driving. 

With  the  fi«ls»!  earth  mliml  hnlnw,— 
Who  shall  rtiirvel  if  thus  striving 
We  have  counted  frlf  nJ  ai  foe ; 
Unto  one  another  giving  in  the  d>irknes3  blow  for  blow. 

Well  it  may  be  that  our  natures 

Have  grown  sterner  and  more  hard, 
A  n  1  tne  f  eshnena  ot  their  ft^atures 
Somewhat  harsh  and  battle-scarred, 
And  their  harmonies  of  fueling  overtasked  iin  I  rudely  Jarre  L 

Be  It  so.     It  should  not  swerve  u-J 

From  a  purpo^e  true  and  brave ; 
Dearer  Freedom's  rugged  service 

Than  ihe  pastime  of  the  slave  ; 
Betl(  r  is  the  storm  nbove  It  than  the  quiet  of  the  grave. 

Let  us  then,  uniting,  bury 

All  our  latest  feuds  in  dust, 
A  nd  t '  future  COD  filets  carry 
Mu'ual  flit b  an  1  common  trust ; 
Always  he  who  most  forglveth  in  his  brother  is  most  Just." 


379 


Preceding  this  fearful  contest — which  without  question 
gave  it  tangible  form — was  the  administration  of  James 
Buchanan,  during  which,  much  animosity  arose,  and  indeed 
the  "bachelor  president"  saw  troublous  times,  with  the 
famous  "Dred  Scott  Decision,"  followed  by  the  Persona* 
Liberty  bill,  passed  by  several  e'ate8,and  those,  succeeded 
by  John  Brown's  rash  attempt  to  take  into  his  own  hands 
the  responsibility  of  freeing  4,000,000  of  slaves.  This 
state  of  things  forced  the  president  to  a  decision,  either 
against  or  for  the  continuation  of  slavery,  and  he  chose  the 
latter.  All  these  brought  about  serious  charges  against  him, 
and  involved  not  only  himself,  but  the  country  in  trouble. 

However  just  the  cause  in  which  the  martyred  John 
Brown  engaged — for  which  he  is  said  to  have  planned 
years  before — living  in  so  frugal  a  mannei  that  he  and  his 
family  were  scarcely  comfortable,  in  order  that  he  might 
have  adequate  means  to  carry  out  his  project — not  even 
the  most  radical  abolitionist  could  indorse.  Those  who 
saw  at  a  later  period  this  blemish  upon  the  fair  name  of 
"Our  Country"  wiped  out  by  legal  means,  co^ld  but  feel  a 
sense  of  commiseration  for  the  well-meaning,  but  mis- 
guided old  man,  who  had  become  morbid  upon  this  sub- 
ject. Well  it  is  that  a  human  tribunal  shall  not  pronounce 
upon  him,  but  before  the  Highest  he  shall  be  adjudged  at 
the  last. 


1 , 
iil 


380 


President  Buchauan  made  several  laudable  efforts  to 
arrest  the  growing  evils  among  the  Mormons,  but  they 
all  proved  of  no  avail ;  so  strong  had  they  become,  and  so 
well  fortified,  that  the  united  and  continued  efforts  of  con- 
gress alone  can  effect  anything  like  a  reform,  aided  by  a 
correct  public  sentiment ;  for  in  all  reforms  the  peopls 
must  be  educated  up  to  the  proper  standard,  before  those 
liolding  the  reins  of  government  will  feel  that  the  time 
has  come  to  act  with  firm  decision.  Already  some  meas- 
ures have  been  taken  in  that  direction,  by  which  some  of 
the  valuable  property  of  the  Saints  has  been  confiscated  by 
the  government.  The  Church  has  also  purchased  quite  a 
tract  of  land  in  Mexico ;  whether  with  the  intention  of 
removing  thither,  or  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  new 
settlement  has  not  been  ascertained. 

To  the  subject  of  this  book,  this  theme  has  always  been 
an  interesting  one,  having  become  familiar  with  some  of  its 
])hases,  when  comparatively  a  young  man,  and  forming 
very  unfavorable  conclusions,  which  have  grown  stronger 
with  his  advancing  years.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that  the  aversion  which  he  justly  formed  should  not  have 
decreased  as  time  proceeded.  Although  his  christian  life 
has  somewhat  modified  his  manner  of  expression  toward 
them,  his  abhorrence  of  their  principles,  remains 
unchanged. 


381 

Having  lived  at  the  time  when  this  sect  sprang  into  ex- 
istance,  and  seeing  its  growth  up  to  the  present  time,  he 
hopes  to  be  spared  to  see  its  exit  from  this  country. 

It  is  not  supposable,  that  any  one  attaining  to  any  de- 
gree of  morality — not  to  say  religion — will  assert  that 
Mormons  have  a  right  to  worship  as  they  see  iit,  agreeing 
that  they  have,  when  their  belief  does  not  conflict  with 
the  laws  of  God  and  man. 

The  reader  may  feel  like  questioning  the  assertion  in 
reference  to  the  "Laws  of  God."  But  ^he  unwritten  laws, 
to  which  all  true  men  and  women  bow  with  respect,  and 
which,  within  the  human  heart  and  mind,  is  well  defined 
by  the  simple  principle  of  right  and  wrong,  is  a  sure  guide 
in  matters  of  morality.  A  harmonious  mechanism  was 
originally  given  every  human  being,  who  is  counted  Compos- 
mentis^  and  from  this  well  organized  machinery  of  the 
mind  and  heart,  as  water  from  a  fountain,  emanates  a 
system  of  reasoning,  which  places  below  par  the  practices 
of  that  which  is  impure  and  evil,  and  places  the  ban  of 
public  contempt  upon  those  transactions,  which  do  not 
come  within  the  limits  of  morality  and  decency. 

Mr.  Mooso,  since  his  conversion,  has  become  a  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  has  consistently  kept 
his  YOWB  since  uniting,  five  months  ago.    The  softening 


382 


illli 


I 


'I 
iili 


and  restful  influences  of  a  genu»ne  conversion  are  mani. 
fest  in  his  deportment. 

And  now  a  few  words  in  regard  to  those  who  have  been 
associated  so  c'<^:;ely  with  the  interests  of  this  book  be- 
fore we  take  a  short  review  of  the  events  of  importance 
which  liave  transpired  during  the  lifetime  of  this  individ- 
ual who  has  seen  so  much  of  hardship,  adventure  and  al- 
most miraculous  escape  from  death. 

First  of  all,  an  affectionate  tribute  from  the  loving  sons 
and  daughters  of  Mrs.  Mooso  may  seem  fitting,  who  ap. 
predate  all  the  mother  love  lavished  upon  them  in  early 
years,  supplemented  later  by  Christian  counsel  and  aug- 
mented by  ])rayer  for  their  temporal  and  spiritual  advance- 
ment. Tenderly  and  reverently  they  pronounce  the  name 
— mother — and  what  higher  compliment  can  be  given  wo- 
man than  when  her  children  "arise  up  and  call  her  bles- 
sed f ' 

The  little  sister,  whom  it  will  be  remembered  listened  at 
the  tent  of  the  angry  Mormon  leaders  when  the  captain 
was  the  subject  under  discussion,  and  brought  to  him  ti- 
tlings  of  impending  danger,  remained  with  her  parents  un- 
til arriving  at  her  maturity  and  married  among  the  Mor- 
mons. Whether  she,  like  her  mother,  found  a  consistent 
man,  who  had  but  one  wife,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertain- 
ing, but  it  will  be  safe  to  conjecture  and  hope  that  she  did. 


383 


ened  at 
liaptain 
hiia  ti- 
nts un- 
e  Mor- 
sistent 
certain- 
she  did. 


Batiste  Lozure,  the  hasty  but  kindly-disposed  "Little 
Frenchman,"  shortly  became  satisfied  with  a  roving  life 
and  returned  to  Canada,  where  he  engaged  in  tilling  the 
soil. 

Jonathan  Sims,  when  last  heard  from— after  his  return 
to  the  Green  Mountains — had  with  his  native  shrewdness, 
aided  by  a  litt'"*  more  culture,  written  several  witty  arti- 
cles upon  some  of  the  absurdities  of  the  day;  said  produc- 
tious  having  found  their  way  into  one  of  the  few  local  pa- 
pers of  the  time. 

At  the  time  when  all  of  the  party  went  out  to  the  Isth- 
mus of  Panama  and  were  disembarked  from  the  "pirate 
vessel,"  it  will  be  remembered  they  decided  to  go  with  po- 
nies to  Mexico.  Nels  preferred  to  await  an  outgoing  ves- 
sel to  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  told  the  captain  his  inten- 
tion of  not  returning;  and  these  two  men  who  had  been 
associated  together  since  their  youth  walked  arm-in-arm  to 
a  quiet  spot  where  they  might  meet  with  no  intrusion,  and 
talked  in  a  way  that  you  and  your  most  valued  friend 
would  talk  when  in  the  ordinary  course  of  events — partic- 
ularly among  men  not  settled  in  life — you  might  be  hold- 
ing the  last  friendly  talk  together. 

With  something  of  marked  positiveness,  Nels  said  : 
"   "Joe,  we  are  about  to  separate,  never  to  meet  on  earth;" 
l)at  Joe  answered  in  a  lighter  tone  "that   they  had  been 


i- 


S 


384 


separated  at  other  times,  and  under  circumstances  which 
seemed  to  make  it  almost  impossible  to  meet  again,  and 
each  time  they  bad  by  some  means  drifted  together."  Bat 
Nels  only  shook  his  head,  saying,  "I  am  not  so  confident 
as  you.     I  feel  impressed  that  this  is  our  last  interview." 

The  next  morning  they  clasped  hands  for  the  last  time, 
as  Nels  had  predicted,  for  they  never  met  again. 

Mr.  Mooso's  aged  father  p.issod  to  his  last  resting  place 
u  few  years  since. 

Although  the  following  subject  may  be  somewhat  for- 
eign to  the  matter  under  consideration,  the  two  boys,  who, 
when  grown  to  manhood,  figured  so  extensively  when  the 
United  States  as  an  independent  country  was  yet  some- 
what of  an  experiment,  and  who  left  impressions  so  lasting 
upon  the  future  of  the  young  Republic,  that  it  is  but  mete 
that  they  receive  mention;  having  lived  and  occupied  the 
proudest  position  which  can  be  assigned  to  men  in  this  na- 
tion. Both  came  upon  the  political  arena  during  the  I'fe- 
time  auJ  remembrance  of  Joe. 

Thirty-six  years  before  little  Joe  first  opened  his  eyes  to 
the  light  of  day  in  the  home  of  his  parents  in  Canada,  two 
infant  boys  in  the  year  1767  came  to  gladden  the  hearts  of 
fond  parents.  One  was  born  amid  the  surroundings  of  a 
home  of  comfort  and  refinement,  in  Massachusetts,  near  the 
city  of  Boston,  where  the  very  air  which  the  little  one 


whloli 
1,  and 
,"  Bat 
ifident 
view." 
t  time, 

[»•  place 

lat  for- 
8,  who, 
len  the 
Bome- 
laBting 
it  mete 
led  the 
his  na- 
he  I'fe- 

eyes  to 
da,  two 
aarts  of 
gs  of  a 
ear  the 
;le  one 


385 

breathed,  seemed  laden  with  that  whicli  would  inspire  him 
to  drink  deep  and  long  of  the  streams  of  knowledge* 
Blessed  with  a  mother  in  whose  veins  ran  the  blood  of  the 
Quincys,  a  woman  of  rare  judgment,  talent  and  piety;  with 
such  a  mother  to  give  bent  to  the  mind  and  character  of 
the  boy,  and  all  the  surrounding  influences  which  encom- 
passed liini,  it  could  but  be  expected  that  he  would  devel- 
op into  a  lad  of  promise.  Few  women  of  those  times  were 
her  superior.  She  wrote  many  letters  which  contained 
sentiments  far  in  advance  of  her  time,  which  evinced  much 
thought  and  strength  of  character,  and  did  ii.uch  toward 
laying  the  foundations  of  American  society. 

The  New  England  women — considering  the  advantages 
which  came  in  their  way — stood  abreast  wi*h  the  men  in 
their  ideas,  and  also  their  application,  so  far  as  they  could 
practically  demonstrate  them. 

The  other  was  born  on  the  Catawba  river,  northwest  of 
Charleston,  amid  surroundings  far  different  from  those  of 
the  first  described.  The  latter  came  to  a  home  of  i)over- 
ty,  where  the  widowed  mother,  of  Scotch-Irish  origin, 
toiled  for  the  daily  bread  of  her  three  sons  and  herself. 
The  young  son  grew  up  with  little  that  would  tend  to  re- 
fine and  advance  him  mentally,  but  the  mother  being  of 
the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  conceived  the  idea  of 
fitting  him  for  the  ministry.  ■     '    ,. 


-   M 


I    N 


386 

She  taught  him  in  the  Scriptures  and  prayed  with  him, 
inBtilling  into  his  young  mind  the  doctrines  of  the  church, 
which  did  not  however  bring  aliout  her  heart's  desire.  He 
grew  into  a  coarse,  impetuous  lad,  with  liltle  ttiat  was  at 
tractive,  but  witli  many  Hterling  qualities  of  honor  and 
truth. 

The  first  named  lad  was  one  of  those  boys  which  one 
sometimes  sees,  who  seem  to  have  no  boyhood,  but  merge 
with  such  rapidity  into  the  thoughts  and  conduct  of  men 
that  before  their  friends  are  awure,  tliey  are  children  no 
longer. 

He  wrote  a  letter  to  his  father  when  but  nine  years  of 
age — who  was  then  in  Congress — which  is  inserted  for  pe- 
rusal. 

"Braintree,  June  2,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: — 

I  love  to  receive  letters  very  well,  much  better  than  I 
love  to  write  them.  I  make  a  poor  figure  at  composition. 
My  head  is  much  too  fickle.  My  thoughts  are  running 
after  bird  eggs,  play  and  trifles,  till  I  get  vexed  with  my- 
self. I  have  just  entered  the  third  volume  of  Rollin's 
History,  but  designed  to  get  half  through  it  by  this  time. 
I  am  determined  to  be  more  diligent.  Mr.  Thaxter  is  ab- 
sent at  court.  I  have  set  myself  a  stint  this  week  to  read 
the  third  volume  half  out.    If  I  can  keep  up  my  resola- 


387 


1  him, 
lurch, 
e.  He 

iis  at 
r  and 

h  one 
inerije 
»f  men 
ren  no 

ears  of 
for  pe- 

J7. 

than  I 
Dsition. 
unniug 
th  my- 
iollin's 
8  time. 

is  ab- 
;o  read 

resolu- 


tion I  may  aij^in,  at  the  end  of  the  week,  give  a  better  ac- 
count of  myself.  I  wish,  sir,  you  would  give  me — in  writ- 
ing— some  instructions  with  regard  to  the  use  of  my  time 
and  advise  ir.e  how  to  proportion  my  studies  and  play,  and 
f  will  keep  them  by  me  and  endeavor  to  follow  them. 
With  the  present  determination  of  growing  better, 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  son, 
John  Quincy  /.<'.  ims. 

P.  S. — Sir,  if  you  will  please  be  so  good  as  to  favor  me 
with  a  blank  book.  I  will  trans(>ribe  the  must  reuiaii.able 
passages  i  meet  with,  in  my  reading,  which  v  "11  servo  to 
fix  tiium  upon  my  mind.'' 

In  this  letter  written  one  hundred  and  cloven  years  ago 
there  is  evidently  a  little  of  the  natural  childishness  of  a 
little  boy  manifested,  when  he  speaks  of  the  fascinating 
sports  of  a  child,  but  soon  he  recalls  himself  as  if  it  were 
almost  a  misdemeanor  to  allow  his  mind  to  wander  off 
with  the  natural  buoyancy  of  childhood.  Mr.  Adams  took 
his  son  with  him  to  France  in  1778,  again  in  1779,  whither 
he  had  been  sent  by  Congress.  The  object  of  the  last 
visit  being  to  negotiate  terms  of  peace  with  the  commis- 
sioners from  England,  who  were  to  meet  him  there. 

John  Quincy  then  entered  school  in  Paris.  After  a 
time  was  removed  to  the  University  of  Leyden.  ?Ie  went 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  in  the  capacity  of  Secretary 


r 


A  i 


388 

to  the  Ministers  from  the  United  States  to  the  Bnssiai^ 
Court.  In  1783  he  met  his  father  at  Paris.  He  was  pres- 
ent when  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  ;• 
and  while  it  does  not  follow  that  all  lawyers  become  great 
men,  many  of  our  great  men  were  lawyers.  He  became 
in  a  short  time  prominent  in  his  profession. 

During  these  years  he  observed  closely  the  events 
which  were  passing;  and  somewhat  distinguished  him- 
self as  a  writer  shortly  after  the  publication  of 
"Thomas  Paine's  Eights  of  Man."  Fearing  the  evil  which 
this  book  might  do  in  America,  which  was  communistic 
in  character — he  exposed  these  political  heresies  in  sever- 
al articles  published  in  the  "Columbia  Centinel." 

When  Great  Britian  declared  war  against  France  much 
sympathy  was  manifested  in  this  country.  The  old  ani- 
mosity not  having  died  out,  many  were  ready  to  engage 
in  the  cause  of  the  French. 

"With  a  wisdom  and  clearness  almost  remarkable,  he 

warned  the  Americans  not  to  meddle  with  foreign  affairs, 
but  to  remain  neutral. 

His  articles  upon  this  subject  were  among  the  ablest  po- 
litical writings.  Washington  was  so  pleased  that  he  chose- 
him  for  his  foreign  minister  although  yet  so  young — but 


389 

twanty-seven — his  marked  ability  placed  him  beyond  the 
-question  of  incapacity. 

He  was  afterward  sent  to  England  on  an  important  mis- 
sion. 

He  was  married  in  London  in  1797,  and  in  1801  when 
he  returned  to  America,  he  at  once  commenced  his  old 
profession,  but  in  the  time  intervening-  between  his  de- 
parture and  return,  he  had  lost  financially  and  found  no 
practice,  but  commenced  anew. 

In  1803  Mr.  Adams  was  elected  to  congress  by  the  fed- 
-eralists,  the  same  year  that  little  Joe  was  an  infant  in  his 
mother's  arms. 

Adams  made  an  attempt  in  1805  to  have  congress  levy 
■a  duty  on  the  importation  of  slaves  and  from  that  time  he 
was  pronounced  in  his  opposition  to  slavery. 

When  Mr.  Adams  was  minister  to  Russia,  a  bookseller 
sent  him  an  elegant  copy  of  the  scriptures,  which  he  ac- 
cepted, but  paid  the  full  value  in  money.  He  believed 
that  all  public  officials  should  be  unbiased,  and  therefore 
should  accept  no  presents. 

This  /^lan  who  had  developed  into  one  of  such  promi- 
nence, had  iiuich  in  the  way  of  education  and  surround- 
ings to  bring  out  these  qualities.  The  times  in  which  he 
lived  were  also  important  auxiliaries  in  that  direction. 

President  Monroe  took  the  presidential  chair,  after  the 


390 


K? 


t  :. 


\i: 


u 


\  i:i 


close  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  conciliatory  in  his- 
measures,  and  wished  to  choose  his  cabinet  in  a  wise 
manner  and  John  Quincy  Adams  was  accordingly  called 
from  England,  to  accept  the  position  of  secretary  of  state- 

Upon  his  return  to  America  he  was  received  with  due 
honors. 

He  remained  in  this  capacity  eight  years,  during  which 
time  he  had  much  to  do  with  the  future  amicable  condi- 
tion of  America,  with  foreign  countries. 

During  the  Greek  war  much  sympathy  was  felt  for  that 
oppressed  people,  but  while  his  sympathies  went  out  to- 
ward them,  he  firmly  adhered  to  his  original  principles^ 
namely :  neutrality.  Many  jealousies  made  the  term  of 
his  office  exceedingly  annoying,  and  when  asked  by  his 
friends  to  respond  to  some  of  the  unjust  criticisms,  only 
replied :  "That  a  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  to  his 
country  was  his  best  defense." 

Henry  Clay  had  looked  forward  to  the  time  when  he 
might  fill  the  presidential  chair,  and  was  an  aspirant  for 
the  position  of  secretary,  under  Monroe,  which  was  a  step 
toward  the  presidency,  and  Adams  incurred  the  enmity  of 
this  aspirant. 

Federalists  had  hated  Adams'  father  with  bitterness  and 
consequenly  hated  the  son. 

When  the  state  of  Missouri  knocked  at  the  door  of  con- 


'391 


gress  for  admission  into  the  union,  that  rap  resounded 
throufjh  every  state,  br'nging  back  echoes,  which  thrilled 
and  enthused  the  pulses  of  J>,638,131  people.  And 
through  the  management  of  Clay,  a  compromise  was  ef- 
fected. This  gave  marked  decision  to  Adams'  tdready 
prosliivery  principles,  and  he  ever  after,  became  one  of  its 
strongest  supporters,  and  after  listening  to  the  debate  in 
congress  upon  the  subject,  he  exclaimed :  "If  slavery  be 
the  destined  sword,  in  the  hands  of  the  destroying  angel, 
which  is  to  sever  the  ties  of  this  union,  the  same  sword, 
will  cut  asunder  the  bonds  of  slavery  itself." 

Probably  no  president  and  secretary  of  state  ever  har- 
monized better  than  did  Monroe  and  Adams. 

The  former  possessed  good  executive  ability,  the  latter 
excellent  logical  powers,  and  as  a  result  the  government 
assumed  a  good  condition,  known  as  the  "era  of  good 
feeling." 

Adams  succeeded  Monroe.  lie  chose  Clay  as  Secretary 
of  State.  Andrew  Jackson  being  one  of  the  defeated  can- 
didates for  the  presidency,  considered  himself  aggrieved 
by  what  he  termed  "a  bargain  between  Clay  and  Adams," 
and  when  the  former  was  chosen  as  Secretary  of  State, 
Jackson's  belief  was  strengthened,  and  the  bitterest  ani- 
mosity arose. 

Jackson  was  not  in  the  least  conciliatory  toward  his  en- 


'.S  I 


'^ 


392  '  * 

emies,  and  Adams'  pare  life  and  upright,  conscientious 
manner  was  of  little  force  against  the  high  tide  of  angry 
and  disappointed  office  seekers  which  engulfed  him. 

Mr.  Adams  seemed  entirely  to  lose  sight  of  self  during 
his  term  of  office,  and  worked  alone  for  the  interest  and 
advancement  of  his  country.  And  his  broad  mind,  en- 
riched by  years  of  knowledge,  accumulated  when  abroad, 
was  capable  of  grasping  the  questions  of  moment,  which 
presented  themselves  during  his  presidency.  But  he  was 
far  in  advance  of  the  times,  and  was  so  much  above  the 
people  to  hardly  be  of  them.  Many  did  not  appreciate 
him,  and  he  was  the  object  of  much  unjust  criticism  and 
abuse.  At  the  expiration  of  his  t  >^rmhe  was  succeeded  by 
the  boy — born  in  the  same  year  as  himself — namely :  An. 
drew  Jackson,  who  was  more  noted  for  his  determination, 
push  and  vigorous  persecution  of  a  supposed  enemy  than 
for  his  breadth  and  wise  judgment;  although  honorable 
and  even  gentle  with  those  weaker  than  himself,  over- 
bearing and  hasty  irith  his  equals  or  superiors. 

He  was  left  an  orphan  at  fifteen. 

At  eighteen  he  commenced  the  study  of  law. 

One  of  his  biographers  says  of  him :  "He  was  the  most 
roiring,  rollicking,  horse-racing,  card-playing,  mischievous 
fellow  that  ever  lived  in  Salsbury." 

After  completing  his  studies  as  a  lawyer  he  found  him- 


him* 


393 

self  without  office,  books  or  clients,  and  went  to  Martins* 
Tille,  North  Carolina,  and  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  store. 
He  received,  shortly  after,  the  appointment  of  public  pros- 
ecutor for  the  district  of  Nashville. 

Many  emigrants  were  then  pushing  to  this  new  settle- 
ment  and  Jackson  accompanied  them.  Owing  to  the  hos- 
tilities of  the  Indians  it  was  a  hazardous  .journey.  One 
night,  as  they  were  camped  and  the  women  and  children 
asleep,  Jackson,  who  was  sitting  by  the  fire,  heard  certain 
significant  and  stealthy  movements  in  the  grass,  and  he 
became  convinced  that  danger  threatened  from  the  Indians. 

He  quietly  awakened  the  nearest  man,  and  all  the  camp 
was  aroused,  and  marched  toward  Nashville  with  as  much 
«peed  as  possible.  A  party  of  hunters  camped  by  the  de- 
serted fires,  and  went  to  sleep,  and  were  massacred  before 
morning. 

Jackson  settled  at  Nashville  and  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  and  prospered  in  money  matters. 
He  was  always  i)rompt  to  resent  an  insult,  which  in  that 
placf  -  and  at  those  limes,  was  of  no  uncommon  occur- 
rence, for  opportunities  were  constantly  oflFering  them- 
selves. He  soon  made  his  antagonists  justly  fear  the 
forceful  argument  of  his  stalwart  fist,  and  engaged  in  many 
a  hand-to-hand  encounter. 

Mr.  Jackson  became  a  boarder  in  the  family  of  the  wid- 


394 


'-!  -1 


ow  of  Colonel  John  Donelson.  Residing  with  her  was  a 
married  daughter  and  her  husband.  The  daughter  was 
beautiful  and  vivacious,  very  fond  of  company,  and  young 
Jackson  was  ve-y  agreeable  in  his  manners  when  he  chose, 
and  Kobards,  the  husband,  objected  to  any  thing  of  a  gal- 
lant nature  from  Jackson,  which  ended  in  Robards  leaving 
the  house  and  the  young  wife,  owing  to  the  gossip  which 
followed  left  also.  The  husband  applied  to  the  legislature 
of  Virginia  for  a  divorce,  and  it  was  reported  that  he  had 
obtained  one. 

Jackson  and  Mrs.  Robards  were  happily  niariied,  but  at 
the  expiration  of  two  years  jthey  found  that  the  former 
husband  had  not  obtained  a  divorce  ,  as  it  was  not  likely 
that  they  could  then  be  obtained  so  easily  as  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 

A  traveler  humorously  asserted — the  truth  of  the  say- 
ing the  reader  must  settle  in  his  own  mind — that  in  passing 
through  the  city  of  Chicago  porters  shout  lustily,  "Chica- 
go— thirty  minutes  for  divorces  !" 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson,  like  our  friend  Mooso,  saw  the 
illegality  of  such  a  marriage,  and  consequently  were  mar- 
ried again. 

In  179t>  Jackson  was  sent  to  Congress  as  a  Representa- 
tive; later  as  United  States  Senator;  still  later  became 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Tennessee. 


^    - 


ler  was  a 
liter  was 
id  youngs 
i6  chose, 
of  a  gal- 
s  leaving 
Ip  which 
gislature 
it  he  had 

id,  but  at 

;  former 

ot  likely 

he  pres- 

the  say- 
passing 
"Chica- 

saw  the 
ere  niar- 

reseuta- 
became 


'  *.  ■•- 


395 

A  very  undignified  quarrel  ensued  between  Jackson  and 
the  governor  of  the  state,  in  which  shots  were  exchanged, 
but  neither  were  injured,  as  the  passions  of  both  men  were 
so  greal  they  could  not  shoot  with  much  precision.  Neither 
of  these  men  seemed  to  realize  that  such  a  course  would 
detract  from  their  dignity  as  officials. 

In  all  business  transactions  he  was  known  as  an  honest 
man.  His  naturally  quarrelsome  disposition,  aided  by  ag- 
gravating circumstances  involved  him  in  serious  trouble, 
in  which  he  engaged  in  a  duel  which  resulted  in  the  death 
of  his  opponent.  He  lost  po;)ularity  by  this  unfortunate 
encounter. 

His  masterpiece  was  at  New  Orleans  at  the  close  of  the 
war  of  1812,  and  the  American  people  were  ready  to  as- 
cribe all  the  virtues  to  this  hero. 

In  1825  he  was  elected  President,  and  being  a  slave- 
holder and  Democrat,  he  was  the  choice  of  the  people  of 
the  south. 

The  publicity  of  Mrs.  Jackson's  marriage  troubles  is 
said  to  have  caused  her  death,  which  occurred  before  his 
inauguration. 

Notwithstanding  his  iinperiousness  he  was  always  de- 
voted and  gentle  with  his  wife,  which  was  the  most  re- 
deeming trait  in  his  character.  He  exercised  the  veto 
power  as  none  preceding  him  had  ever  done.    Yet  as  pe- 


396 


ouliar  as  his  administration  had  been,  he  was  popular  with 
the  masses.  After  he  retired  from  public  office  he  lived 
in  quiet  enjoyment,  and  gradually  grew  more  gentle  and 
devoted  much  of  his  time  to  reading  the  scriptures,  and 
at  the  last  became  a  devout  christian,  and  although  hav- 
ing lived  a  life  of  discord  and  turbulence  passed  quietly 
away. 

The  marked  contrast  between  these  two  men  was  par- 
tially owing  to  their  native  gifts,  but  unquestionably  more 
to  the  circumstances  of  early  training  and  later  surround- 
ings. The  last  named  seemed  to  impress  himself  more  by 
his  positiveness,  unflinching  manner  and  perseverance 
than  by  any  of  the  higher  qualities.  His  children  bear 
witness  of  his  oft  repeated  assertions,  that  he  was  like  one 
•caged  by  iron  bars,  on  account  of  his  ignorance. 

Adams,  cultured,  broad,  conscientious,  but  firm,  stood 
as  a  brilliant  example  of  the  capabilities  which  education 
and  refining  influences  may  eliminate  from  the  human 
heart  and  mind.  Indeed,  we  do  not  know  what  powers 
lie  dormant  among  the  recesses  of  that  mysterious  thing — 
the  mind — any  more  than  we  can  tell  the  rich  treasures 
which  the  earth  contains,  until  circumstances  bring  them 
to  the  surface.     '  ^ 

Could  Captain  Mooso  have  had  early  advantages,  his  life 
would,  without   question,  have  taken   a  different  bent. 


397 


lar  with 
le  lived 
itle  and 
68,  and 
gh  hav- 
quietly 

^^as  par- 
tly more 
irround- 
nore  by 
verance 
en  bear 
like  one 

I,  stood 

ucation 

human 

powers 

thing — 

^asures 

them 

his  life 
;  bent. 


His  native  talents  were  good,  as  his  life  has  clearly  dem-  ^ 
onstrated.  Through  all  his  wanderings  amid  surroundings 
often  of  a  bad  character,  he  always  maintained  a  certain 
honor,  uprightness  and  honesty  of  purpose  which  marked 
him  as  a  leader.  Much  credit  is  due  one  who  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  impressibility, — when  his  charl^ter  was 
being  moulded — among  those  who  would  not  tend  to  ele- 
vate— that,  after  so  long  a  time  spent  in  walking  in  paths 
so  devious,  should,  just  as  life  is  declining,  grasp  the  an- 
chor of  hope — everlasting  life — and  adhere  firmly  to  the 
consoling  influences  of  belief  in  one  Divine. 

One  of  the  lines  along  which  one  can  review  the  devel- 
opment of  this  country  with  interest  is  that  of  improve- 
ments in  means  of  travel  and  transportation.  The  first 
three  decades  of  the  present  century  may  be  considered 
the  era  of  canal  building  and  at  the  close  of  that  period 
(about  1830)  the  railroad,  so  much  more  rapid  and  easier 
of  construction,  superseded  its  clumsy  rival,  and  from 
that  time  on  the  latter  has  been  looked  upon  as  the  avail- 
able means  of  inland  transportation. 

The  extent  to  which  canal  building  engaged  the  atten- 
tion of  our  people  has  probably  to  most  of  ns  now  in  ac- 
-   tive  life  received  but  little  attention,  but   we   can  learn 
from  those  like  Mr.  Mooso,  who  were  active  in  the  stirring 
events  of  sixty  years  ago,  that  the  same  enthusiam  attend' 


398 


) 


«d  a  canal  project  i).   those  days  that  characterized  a 
ficheme  for  a  Kansas  railroad  in  1886. 

There  were  conatracted  and  operated  in  the  United 
States  from  1808  to  1830  not  less  than  sixty-eight  distinct 
lines  of  canal.  Many  of  these  were  constructed  through 
sections  ^here  the  profile  of  the  country  made  the  work 
at  once  expensive  and  tedious. 

A  responsible  writer  of  this  time  says  that  the  three 
states — Pennsylvania,  New  York  and  Ohio — did  more  ca 
nal  building  in  the  sixteen  years  preceding  1830  than  all 
the  countries  of  Europe  combined. 

The  first  railroad  in  the  United  States  was  put  in  opera., 
tion  in  1827  and  was  a  very  insignificant  affair.     Its  length 
was  about  three  miles.  The  rails  were  of  oak,  with  a  strap 
of  iron  on  the  top.     Crude  as  was  this  beginning,  it  was 
followed  by  an  active  era  of  railroad  building. 

At  the  session  of  the  New  York  legislature  of  1832, 
twenty-thrte  companies  were  incorporated,  among  them 
the  since  famous  New  York  and  Erie. 

Mr.  Mooso  relates  with  much  interest  in  the  earlier 
pages  of  this  book  the  incidents  of  a  short  trip  on  one  of 
those  early  roads.  The  cars  were  drawn  by  horses  at  a 
rate  of  eight  miles  per  hour.  In  1830  a  writer  made  the 
the  startling  announcement  that  a  locomotive  on  the  same 
road  had  attained  the  "wonderful  speed  of  thirty  miles  an 


399 


rized  a 

United 
distinct 
hrough 
e  work 

e  tbree 
aore  ca 
:han  all 

I  opera.. 
}  length 
a  strap 

it  was 

f  1832, 
g  them 

earlier 
one  of 
jes  at  a 
ide  the 
e  same 
iles  an 


hour."  Within  the  last  decade  a  rate  of  seventy-five  miles 
has  been  made,  and  in  all  probability,  with  degrees  of  per- 
fection we  are  attaining  in  the  matter  of  track-building 
and  the  superior  mechanism  of  our  engines,  Mr.  Mooso 
may  yet  see  a  train  move  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  miles 
an  hour. 

About  1833  a  scheme  for  a  road  from   Chicago  to  the 
southwest,  to  be  known  as  the  Chicago  and  Michigan  rail- 

» 

road.  The  matter  never  came  to  a  reality,  but  the  Chica- 
go and  llock  Island  railroad  was  finally  built  over  this 
route,  and  the  subject  of  this  narrative  was  on  the  line 
when  the  preliminary  survey  was  made.  This  road  was 
completed  to  the  Mississippi  in  1853,  and  is  now  one  of 
our  great  trunk  lines  from  Chicago  to  the  west. 

Among  the  many  much  talked  of  feats  in  this  country,  a 
quarter  of  a  century  ago  was  "crossing  the  plains."  In 
these  pages  we  have  mentioned  many  of  the  hardships 
and  privations  encountered  in  this  perilous  journey.  In 
1869  the  completion  of  the  Pacific  Bailroad  took  all  the 
romance  from  the  journey  to  the  western  coast.  The 
American  Desert  hid  himself  away  in  the  fastnesses  of 
the  western  mountains  and  a  wealth  of  growing  fields 
with  cities  and  villages  rolled  out  from  our  western  set- 
tlements toward  the  setting  sun.  The  herding  grounds  of 
the  buffalo,  and  the  grassy  shelter  of  the  deer  and  ante- 


400 

lope  recede  before  the  puflBng^of  the  iron  horse.  The 
wily  otter  and  the  saucy  mink  and  beaver  retreat  from 
the  splashing  water* '^heel  and  the  sullen  murmur  of  the 
dam.  The  Indian  has  taken  his  wigwam  and  crept  sullen- 
ly to  some  reservation,  and  the  wilderness  verily  "blos- 
soms like  the  rose." 

But  we  must  not  dose  the  book  and  lay  it  aside  without 
a  word  of  admonition  to  the  boys  and  girlH  who  have  fol- 
lowed the  long  and  perilous  pathway  of  the  kind  old  man. 
Yours  is  a  marvelous  heritage  !  To  start  in  the  race  of 
life  in  such  times  as  these,  and  in  a  land  like  ours,  is  to 
leap  at  once  beyond  the  bounds  of  conjecture  of  poi-  - 
bilities. 

Looking  back  over  the  developments  of  the  past  fifty 
years,  one  is  lost  in  the  contemplation;  but  what  would  be 
the  feeling  were  we  permitted  to  look  out  fifty  years  into 
the  future !  And  yet  this  will  be  the  epoch  m  which  your 
lives  are  cast. 

Make  the  most  of  every  opportunity.  Kemember  that 
only  the  keenest  blade  and  the  strongest  arm  can  hew  out 
from  the  path  all  the  barriers  you  will  encounter.  And  it 
is  hoped  that  you  have  found  in  these  pages  something 
that  may  give  you  courage  for  the  conflict. 


I  horse.  The 
retreat  from 
irmur  of  the 
crept  sullen- 
verily  "blos- 


i8ide  without 
ho  have  fol- 
irul  old  mail, 
the  race  of 
e  ours,  is  ta 
ire  of  pos    - 


e  past  fifty 

at  would  be 

y  years  into 

which  your 


lember  that 

sau  hew  out 

er.    And  it 

something 


